Economic burden of acute myeloid leukemia on patients in a resource-limited tertiary hospital in the Philippines

ABSTRACT Introduction: The remission induction treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained unchanged in the resource-limited setting in the Philippines. AML treatment consists of induction chemotherapy followed by high dose consolidation chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the Philippines, the Filipino household bears the burden of health care cost of hospitalization expenditure. Insights into the treatment costs becomes an essential requirement as these guides the allocation of resources to scheme health programs. Method: This study involved a retrospective cohort analysis of AML patients who underwent treatment for AML. Review of the statements of account per admission per patient during treatment for remission induction, consolidation, relapsed and refractory disease and best supportive care from 2017 to 2019. Of the 251 eligible patients, 190 patients were included. Result: The mean healthcare expenditure for remission induction chemotherapy (Phase 1) was US $2, 504.78 (Php 125,239.29). While 3 to 4 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy cost an average of US $3,222.72 (Php 162,103.20). For patients who had relapsed and refractory disease, an additional mean cost of US $3,163.32 (Php 159,115.28) and US $2, 914.72 (Php 146,610.55) were incurred, respectively. The average cost of palliative care was US $1,687.00 (Php 84,856.59). Conclusion: The cost of chemotherapy and other therapeutics bear most of the weight of the direct healthcare cost. The cost of AML treatment represents a significant economic burden for patients and the institution. The cost increases as patients proceed through subsequent lines of treatment for induction failure. Existing subsidy for health insurance benefits could still be improved for appropriate source allocation of resources.

Hematologic adverse events reported after COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines: A national database study.

Vaccination is the most important strategy in preventing COVID-19. Vaccine efficacy and safety have been established in clinical trials but real-world data are useful to determine occurrence of adverse events in a population with heterogeneous characteristics. Knowledge on the hematologic events associated with different COVID-19 vaccines would be beneficial for patients as well as hematologists who oversee the care of these patients. This study aimed to determine the rates and outcomes of hematologic adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines. In this self-controlled case series, there were 268 individuals reported to have hematologic adverse events. Most received Comirnaty at 29.85%. Majority (62.31%) reported hematologic adverse events following the first dose of the vaccine. The overall event rate was 0.0182 per 10,000 vaccine doses; and lymphadenopathy was the most common hematologic adverse effect with a rate of 0.011 per 10,000 vaccine doses, followed by anemia at 0.0034 per 10,000 vaccine doses and thrombocytopenia at 0.0017 per 10,000 vaccine doses. Autoimmune cytopenias were also reported with an event rate of 0.0007 per 10,000 vaccine doses for ITP. One-hundred thirty two (49.25%) were fully recovered and 23.88% were recovering from hematologic adverse events as of the time of writing. The study showed a low rate of hematologic adverse events post COVID-19 vaccination with the seven different vaccine brands administered in the Philippines.

Economic burden of acute myeloid leukemia on patients in a resource-limited tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION: The remission induction treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained unchanged in the resource-limited setting in the Philippines. AML treatment consists of induction chemotherapy followed by high dose consolidation chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the Philippines, the Filipino household bears the burden of health care cost of hospitalization expenditure. Insights into the treatment costs becomes an essential requirement as these guides the allocation of resources to scheme health programs. METHOD: This study involved a retrospective cohort analysis of AML patients who underwent treatment for AML. Review of the statements of account per admission per patient during treatment for remission induction, consolidation, relapsed and refractory disease and best supportive care from 2017 to 2019. Of the 251 eligible patients, 190 patients were included. RESULT: The mean healthcare expenditure for remission induction chemotherapy (Phase 1) was US $2, 504.78 (Php 125,239.29). While 3 to 4 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy cost an average of US $3,222.72 (Php 162,103.20). For patients who had relapsed and refractory disease, an additional mean cost of US $3,163.32 (Php 159,115.28) and US $2, 914.72 (Php 146,610.55) were incurred, respectively. The average cost of palliative care was US $1,687.00 (Php 84,856.59). CONCLUSION: The cost of chemotherapy and other therapeutics bear most of the weight of the direct healthcare cost. The cost of AML treatment represents a significant economic burden for patients and the institution. The cost increases as patients proceed through subsequent lines of treatment for induction failure. Existing subsidy for health insurance benefits could still be improved for appropriate source allocation of resources.

The association of hyperglycemia with the development of infectious complications in adult Filipino patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract Introduction Hyperglycemia occurs in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) due to chemotherapeutic agents and may be stress-induced. Given the potential impact of hyperglycemia on the clinical outcomes of ALL patients, we sought to determine the association of hyperglycemia with the development of infectious complications. Methods This is a retrospective cohort involving adult Filipino ALL patients admitted at a tertiary referral center. Patients were stratified according to blood glucose levels and infections were classified into microbiologically and clinically defined infections. Logistic regression was performed to determine whether hyperglycemia was associated with the development of infectious complications. Results Of the 174 patients admitted for ALL, only 76 patients (44%) underwent blood glucose monitoring and were thus included in this study. Hyperglycemia was observed in 64 patients (84.21%). Infectious complications were seen in 56 patients (73.68%), of whom 37 patients (48.68%) had microbiologically defined infections and 19 (25%) had clinically defined infections. The respiratory tract was the most common site of infection and gram-negative bacteria were the predominant isolates. Hyperglycemia significantly increased the likelihood of infectious complications, particularly at blood glucose levels ≥ 200 mg/dL. Conclusion Hyperglycemia is associated with an increased likelihood of infectious complications in Filipino ALL patients. With sepsis being one of the main causes of mortality in this population, our study provides compelling evidence for us to consider routine blood glucose monitoring in order to manage and potentially decrease the occurrence of infections in these patients.

The association of hyperglycemia with the development of infectious complications in adult Filipino patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperglycemia occurs in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) due to chemotherapeutic agents and may be stress-induced. Given the potential impact of hyperglycemia on the clinical outcomes of ALL patients, we sought to determine the association of hyperglycemia with the development of infectious complications. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort involving adult Filipino ALL patients admitted at a tertiary referral center. Patients were stratified according to blood glucose levels and infections were classified into microbiologically and clinically defined infections. Logistic regression was performed to determine whether hyperglycemia was associated with the development of infectious complications. RESULTS: Of the 174 patients admitted for ALL, only 76 patients (44%) underwent blood glucose monitoring and were thus included in this study. Hyperglycemia was observed in 64 patients (84.21%). Infectious complications were seen in 56 patients (73.68%), of whom 37 patients (48.68%) had microbiologically defined infections and 19 (25%) had clinically defined infections. The respiratory tract was the most common site of infection and gram-negative bacteria were the predominant isolates. Hyperglycemia significantly increased the likelihood of infectious complications, particularly at blood glucose levels ≥ 200 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia is associated with an increased likelihood of infectious complications in Filipino ALL patients. With sepsis being one of the main causes of mortality in this population, our study provides compelling evidence for us to consider routine blood glucose monitoring in order to manage and potentially decrease the occurrence of infections in these patients.

The hematologic profile of Filipino HIV-infected individuals and its association with CD4 counts

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hematologic abnormalities are common in HIV and involve all blood cell lineages. A study on cytopenias, as correlated with disease progression, can be valuable in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the hematologic profile of HIV patients and its association with CD4 count and antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study involving adult Filipino HIV patients with complete blood count (CBC) and CD4 count determinations prior to the initiation of ARV treatment and after ≥6 months of ARV treatment. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association between cytopenias and a CD4 count <200 cells/μL. Results: The study included 302 patients. Anemia was the most common cytopenia. Anemia and leukopenia were associated with an increased likelihood of having a CD4 count <200 cells/μL in ARV-naïve patients. In ARV-treated patients, leukopenia was associated with an increased probability of having a CD4 count <200 cells/μL. An increase in hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts was observed after ≥6 months of ARV treatment. Conclusion: Anemia and leukopenia can be used as markers of immune status in HIV-infected individuals and improvement in the CBC parameters can be used to assess response to ARV treatment. Routine monitoring of hematologic parameters is recommended.

The hematologic profile of Filipino HIV-infected individuals and its association with CD4 counts.

INTRODUCTION: Hematologic abnormalities are common in HIV and involve all blood cell lineages. A study on cytopenias, as correlated with disease progression, can be valuable in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the hematologic profile of HIV patients and its association with CD4 count and antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study involving adult Filipino HIV patients with complete blood count (CBC) and CD4 count determinations prior to the initiation of ARV treatment and after ≥6 months of ARV treatment. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association between cytopenias and a CD4 count <200 cells/µL. RESULTS: The study included 302 patients. Anemia was the most common cytopenia. Anemia and leukopenia were associated with an increased likelihood of having a CD4 count <200 cells/µL in ARV-naïve patients. In ARV-treated patients, leukopenia was associated with an increased probability of having a CD4 count <200 cells/µL. An increase in hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts was observed after ≥6 months of ARV treatment. CONCLUSION: Anemia and leukopenia can be used as markers of immune status in HIV-infected individuals and improvement in the CBC parameters can be used to assess response to ARV treatment. Routine monitoring of hematologic parameters is recommended.

Trisomy 5 as the sole chromosomal anomaly in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Trisomy 5 as the sole cytogenetic aberration in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is exceedingly rare. As such, its prognostic and therapeutic relevance remains unknown. We report a case of an 18-year-old young man who was diagnosed with B cell ALL with trisomy 5 as the sole chromosomal abnormality. He was treated with chemotherapy and went into complete remission. On the 14th month of treatment, he relapsed with central nervous system involvement characterised by leukaemic infiltration of the optic nerve and facial palsy. He subsequently underwent reinduction chemotherapy with aggressive intrathecal chemotherapy followed by posterior globe and whole brain radiation therapy. He is currently on his 26th month of treatment, in second remission, with complete resolution of leukaemic infiltrative optic neuropathy and facial paralysis. As more cases of this nature are reported, we will be able to determine the relevance of this distinct cytogenetic entity.