ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that outcomes are improved in patients with severe lupus nephritis treated with combined prednisone and intravenous cyclophosphamide, compared with those treated with prednisone alone. These findings motivated this analysis of the economic impact of the combined therapy. METHODS: The annual expected incidence of severe lupus nephritis in the year 1988 in the US was estimated to be 1,130. A hypothetical patient cohort of this size was used as the model for the present analysis; the costs of treatment with prednisone alone and with combined prednisone and intravenous cyclophosphamide were calculated and compared. The analysis took into account the expected rate of renal failure with each therapeutic approach, as well as age, sex, and the economic value of working years gained. RESULTS: Although the treatment costs are higher for the combination therapy, the analysis revealed overall savings due to a reduced need for kidney dialysis or transplantation, and the economic value of working capacity gained. Savings attributable to patient care costs were $50.8 million; those attributable to working capacity gained were $42.3 million. CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates that over a 10-year period, as much as $93.1 million per annual cohort is saved by the use of combination therapy for the treatment of severe lupus nephritis.