Cost-analysis of Treatment of Pediatrics Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia based on ALL-BFM Protocol

Background Among all pediatric cancers acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is highly prevalent, butthe overall cost of ALL management is not well-known, there is a need to assess the Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM) protocol commonly used in ALL management in Iran. So, the aim of this study was to estimate direct and indirect costs of ALL treatment among children based on the ALL-BFM protocol from the societal perspective in Iran. Materials and Methods A retrospective study was conducted. All pediatric patients newly diagnosed with ALL and managed by the BFM protocol from 2010-2015 were included. Finally, total costs, including direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs were calculated. Results The total direct medical cost per patient for a complete treatment period was 15,026.6US dollars, the direct non-medical cost incurred was 1,688.9 USD and the indirect cost due to productivity loss was 932.3 USD. Conclusion Treatment of pediatrics ALL is less costly in Iran comparing other countries. So, physicians and policy makers and health care system administrators should devise an appropriate strategy to reduce the direct medical costs which have more economic burden special for hospitalization days and chemotherapy costs based on the findings.

Keywords:

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia , ALL-BFM , Cost-analysis , Pediatrics