Humanistic and Economic Burden Associated With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Summary of Evidence From Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs)

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), an incurable interstitial lung disease, is characterized by chronic fibrosis, worsening lung function and dyspnea. These conditions impact patients’ health related quality of life (HRQoL) and incur an economic burden to patients and the healthcare system. The SLRs aimed to identify comprehensive evidence for the humanistic and economic burden associated with IPF.

METHODS: Two SLRs following Cochrane/PRISMA guidelines were conducted between January 2014 and September 2023 in Embase, MEDLINE, EconLit and Cochrane Library supplemented with conference searches. All prices were inflated and converted to 2024, Euros.

RESULTS: 89 non-interventional studies assessed the humanistic burden of IPF using EQ-5D (16 studies), SF-36 (16 studies), SGRQ (39 studies), MRC (26 studies), K-BILD (18 studies) and other HRQoL scales. The results of scores at baseline and over time indicated poor HRQoL in patients with IPF. The baseline mean EQ-5D-5L scores ranged between 0.589 to 0.79, indicating low HRQoL in patients with IPF. Symptoms such as depression and anxiety (baseline mean HADS-anxiety score range: 3.46 to 6.2, HADS-depression score range: 3.86 to 6), breathlessness (baseline mean MRC score range: 0.81 to 2.71) and cough (baseline mean CQLQ score: 47.26) impacted patients’ HRQoL and emotional well-being. 73 studies examined the economic burden associated with IPF. Total estimated annual direct cost (varied types of cost) per patient per year (PPPY) ranged from €21,897 to €166,136 in the USA, €6,627 to €51,773 in Canada, €3,122 to €36,537 across four countries in Europe including France, Germany, Spain and Finland and was €22,614 in Australia. The estimated annual indirect cost (productivity loss) was €14,513 PPPY in the UK and €9,249 PPPY in Canada.

CONCLUSIONS: Due to the progressive nature of IPF, patients have a rapid decline in respiratory function leading to poor HRQoL and high economic burden driven by hospitalization, pharmacy, medical/non-medical cost and productivity loss.