Original article

Ahead-of-Print

FAR-BENE Study: pharmacoeconomics and well-being in hemophilia. Monitoring outcomes in light of pharmaceutical expenditure with focus on patients undergoing therapeutic switch

Authors

Key words: hemophilia, cost-effectiveness analysis, health expenditure, patient reported outcomes measures, treatment outcome
Publication Date: 2025-09-16

Abstract

Background - Hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder, raises significant pharmacoeconomic challenges, particularly with the emergence of innovative therapies. This study evaluates clinical and patient-reported outcomes and expenditures in hemophilia patients focusing on those who underwent therapeutic switches between 2017 and 2023.

Materials and methods - This retrospective study included severe hemophilia patients. Expenditure was analyzed based on clotting factor consumption, while clinical well-being was assessed using ABR, NRS for pain, joint health scores (HJHS, HEAD-US) and trough plasma levels. Sub-analysis was conducted by applying different therapeutic groups. Statistical significance of differences between paired measures (pre [T0] vs post [T1]) was examined using the Wilcoxon Sum Rank test.

Results - Seventy patients were included. Total expenditure was € 12,947,580.44 in 2017 and € 12,967,576.92 in 2023. Among 45 patients who switched therapy, the median number of infusions/year significantly decreased from 156 to 91 (p<0.001), ABR from 1 to 0 (p<0.001) and NRS from 3,5 to 0 (p<0.001). Joint health did not show improvement with a slight but not statistically significant increase (HJHS from 10 to 15; HEAD-US from 7 to 8). Median trough increased from 3 UI/mL to 5 UI/mL (p=0.181). Patients were grouped for analysis based on homogeneous treatment regimens.

Discussion - This study is the first effort to conduct comprehensive analysis of the impact of therapeutic choices on well-being and cost of care in hemophilia Center. The study underscores the need for value-based approach to hemophilia care, integrating expenditure and clinical outcomes. Adopting validated economic weight outcome in future pharmacoeconomic evaluations will be essential for decision making.

Downloads

Authors

Carola Sella - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7112-270X

Federica Valeri - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8288-7902

Cristina Dainese - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5501-0252

Annamaria Porreca - Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, Rome, Italy; Unit of Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology IRCCS San Raffaele, Roma, Rome, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3278-1561

Matilde Scaldaferri - Department of Quality and Safety of Care, Pharmacy, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5210-9783

Daniela Cestino - Department of Quality and Safety of Care, Pharmacy, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

Roberta Aldieri - Department of Quality and Safety of Care, Pharmacy, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

Giulia Soave - Department of Quality and Safety of Care, Pharmacy, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

Sara Bergonzi - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7203-2070

Giovanni Murante - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Rebecca Pastorino - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7769-0273

Alessandra Valpreda - Central Laboratory Baldi and Riberi, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

Benedetto Bruno - Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Alessandra Borchiellini - Regional Centre for Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy; Division of Hematology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8618-145X

  • Abstract viewed - 408 times
  • pdf downloaded - 93 times