Socioeconomic Burden of Pyogenic Liver Abscess Caused by Klebsiella Pneumoniae from a Teaching Hospital in East China.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is increasing worldwide. However, evaluation on its economic burden is still lack.

METHODS: A retrospective study that included all patients identified PLA from 2017 to 2020 was conducted. Clinical information and hospital costs were collected through the electronic medical records. We evaluated the economic burden using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Differences in socioeconomic burdens between Klebsiella pneumoniae -caused liver abscesses (KPLA) and non- Klebsiella pneumoniae -caused liver abscesses (non-KPLA) were compared.

RESULTS: We found 327 patients identified PLA in the study, including 146 with KPLA and 181 with non-KPLA. The demographic characteristics, median hospital stay, severity, and in-hospital mortality were similar between the two groups. The median total in-hospital cost was higher in the non-KPLA than in the KPLA group, although no statistical difference was found ($3607.2 vs $3424.6; P = 0.446). The median DALY loss was significantly higher in the KPLA than in the non-KPLA group [1.49 (0.97-2.30) vs 1.27 (0.87-1.89); P = 0.033)], and male patients presented a higher average DALY loss than female patients. KPLA had a substantially greater median indirect economic loss than the non-KPLA group [$1442.8 (915.9-17,221.5) vs $1232.5 (764.6-15,473.0); P = 0.028], and indirect economic loss exhibited a significant increase from 2017 to 2020 in patients with PLA. No differences were found in the socioeconomic burden between the two groups [$8019.6 (4200.3-21,832.1) vs $7436.4 (4023.2-19,063.9); P = 0.172].

CONCLUSION: The economic burden of PLA is significant, particularly in patients with KP. Patients with KPLA experienced increased DALY loss and indirect economic loss than non-KPLA. PLA must be prioritized as the indirect economic burden rises annually.