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Abstract
Background. Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a common, serious adverse effect of chemotherapy; its treatment is costly as it typically involves hospitalisation, use of intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes expensive hematopoietic growth factors.
Methods. A prospective cost-of-illness study evaluated direct medical costs of FN episodes treated in hospital. Lost productivity, health utility and quality of life were also quantified.
Results. Fifty-one episodes of FN were included in the study. The mean length (± SD) of stay and mean cost per episode were 6.8±4.9 days and $6337± $4783CAD, respectively. Minimal lost productivity was attributable to FN. A mean health utility of 0.64 (± 0.22) was calculated and quality of life was decreased in FN.
Conclusions. Hospitalization for the treatment of FN is expensive and quality of life is substantially decreased. The data obtained can be used as a baseline from which to evaluate cost-effectiveness of alternative interventions to treat and prevent FN.
