Economic and humanistic burden of chronic liver diseases in the United States.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the healthcare burden of Chronic liver disease (CLD) post-introduction of newer antiviral therapies for hepatitis. Therefore, this national study examined healthcare expenditures, productivity loss, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with CLD.

METHODS

This retrospective, cross-sectional analysis utilized the 2014-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey involving patients with CLD ≥18 years. Two-part model was employed to estimate incremental direct medical costs. Multivariable models were used to evaluate missed workdays and HRQoL.

RESULTS

Annually, 1.63 million patients (95%CI=1.47-1.81) were diagnosed with CLD, with a prevalence of 0.59%. The mean annual incremental healthcare expenditure attributable to CLD was $11,711 (95%CI=$6,867.048-$16,555.36). Patients with CLD have 0.12 (95%CI=0.09-0.15) more missed workdays, translating into a national productivity loss of $51.6 million. Additionally, HRQoL was significantly lower in CLD patients, with mean differences of -3.72 (95%CI = -4.6 to -2.84) for physical component summary score and -1.83 (95%CI = -2.68 to -0.97) fore mental component summary score.

CONCLUSIONS

CLD was associated with a significant healthcare burden, as evidenced by healthcare expenditure, productivity loss, and HRQoL. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to improve the prevention and management of CLD to reduce the disease burden.