Market and Non-Market Productivity Losses Associated with Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the USA.

Abstract

Background and objective: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an uncommon but serious disease associated with a risk of death and severe long-term sequelae, impacting both patients and their caregivers. Productivity losses due to IMD have not previously been comprehensively evaluated in the USA. This study evaluated both market and non-market productivity losses to better estimate the economic burden of IMD in the USA.

Methods: An economic model estimated lifetime market (labour) and non-market (unpaid household, caring and voluntary services) productivity losses due to acute IMD, premature death due to IMD, reduced life expectancy in IMD survivors and IMD-related sequelae for patients 16 years of age or older and their caregivers based on IMD cases diagnosed in the USA in 2021 (due to data availability). Time use data were used to characterise IMD-incurred disruptions as market or non-market productivity losses. Time lost during the acute phase (assumed equal for patients and caregivers) was estimated based on hospital length-of-stay data. Time lost due to premature death from acute IMD or reduced remaining life expectancy (only calculated for patients) was estimated by subtracting the age at IMD acquisition or life expectancy of IMD survivors from average life expectancy. Time lost due to IMD-related sequelae was estimated based on sequelae event rates. Time lost was multiplied by earnings per hour (derived from median salary) to estimate productivity losses. Assumptions about sequelae impact on productivity were derived from the literature and expert clinical opinion. Scenario and sensitivity analyses assessed the impact of different inputs and assumptions on the results. Costs were inflated to 2023 US dollars.

Results: Lifetime productivity losses for IMD cases diagnosed in the USA in 2021 (N = 121) totalled $87.4 million ($722,458 per case) for patients 16 years of age and older and their caregivers, with market and non-market losses accounting for approximately 72% and 28%, respectively. Premature death, reduced life expectancy and long-term sequelae were responsible for the majority of total productivity losses for patients and caregivers ($87.1 million); the acute phase accounted for $314,850. Results were most sensitive to the ratio of total benefits, median salary, case-fatality rates and specific sequelae included.

Conclusions: Despite being an uncommon disease, the high mortality rate and severe long-term consequences of IMD result in a substantial economic impact. Comprehensive market and non-market productivity losses for both patients and caregivers should be considered when evaluating and communicating the true burden of IMD.