Healthcare resource utilization trends in patients with acute myeloid leukemia ineligible for intensive chemotherapy receiving first-line systemic treatment or best supportive care: A multicenter international study

Objectives This retrospective chart review examined real-world healthcare resource utilization (HRU) in patients with AML ineligible for intensive therapy who received first-line systemic therapy or best supportive care (BSC). Methods Data were collected anonymously on patients with AML who initiated first-line hypomethylating agents (HMA), low-dose cytarabine (LDAC), other systemic therapy, or BSC. HRU endpoints included hospitalizations, outpatient consultations, transfusions, and supportive care. Results Of 1762 patients included, 46% received HMA, 11% received LDAC, 17% received other systemic therapy, 26% received BSC; median treatment durations were 118, 35, 33, and 57 days, respectively. Most patients were hospitalized, most commonly for treatment administration, transfusion, or infection (HMA 82%, LDAC 93%, other systemic therapy 83%, BSC 83%). A median number of hospitalizations were 2-6 across systemic groups and two for BSC, with median durations of 8-18 days. Transfusion rates and outpatient consultations were highest for HMA (80% and 79%) versus LDAC (57% and 53%), other systemic therapy (57% and 63%), and BSC (71% and 66%). Antivirals/antibiotics and antifungals were used more frequently than growth factors (72-92%, 34-63%, and 7-27%, respectively). Conclusion Patients with AML ineligible for intensive therapy have high HRU; novel therapies are needed to alleviate this burden.