Hospital-Based Resource Use and Costs Among Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Enrolled in the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Prospective Outcomes (IPF-PRO) Registry.

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare and serious condition that is associated with high healthcare resource use. We aimed to estimate hospital-related resource use and costs using a national, prospective registry of patients who were diagnosed with IPF or had their diagnosis confirmed at the enrolling center in the past 6 months in the United States. Methods Participants enrolled between June 5, 2014, and April 12, 2016, in the ongoing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Prospective Outcomes Registry were included (n=300). Time to first hospitalization was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Annualized costs were estimated for hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and emergency room (ER) visits. Results At enrollment, most participants were male (75%), white (95%), commercially insured (64%), smokers (68%), had forced vital capacity (FVC) between 50%–80% predicted (66%), and received antifibrotic drugs (55%). During the first 12 months of follow-up, participants averaged 0.11 ER visits, 0.42 hospitalizations, 0.08 ICU admissions, 2.18 hospital days, and 0.45 ICU days. Probability of hospitalization was 18% and 30% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, and was highest for those with FVC Conclusions IPF is associated with a substantial economic burden incurred by patients requiring hospital care. Future research in IPF should focus on improving clinical outcomes while reducing cost of care in hospitals.