Healthcare Resource Use, Cost, and Sick Leave Following Kidney Transplantation in Sweden: A Population-Based, 5-Year, Retrospective Study of Outcomes: COIN

Background: Improved understanding of the impact of kidney transplantation on healthcare resource use/costs and loss of productivity could aid decision making about funding allocation and resources needed for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in stage 5. Material/Methods: This was a retrospective study utilizing data from Swedish national health registers of patients undergoing kidney transplantation. Primary outcomes were renal disease-related healthcare resource utilization and costs during the 5 years after transplantation. Secondary outcomes included total costs and loss of productivity. Regression analysis identified factors that influenced resource use, costs, and loss of productivity. Results: During the first year after transplantation, patients (N=3120) spent a mean of 25.7 days in hospital and made 21.6 outpatient visits; mean renal disease-related total cost was & euro;66,014. During the next 4 years, resource use was approximately 70% (outpatient) to 80% (inpatient) lower, and costs were 75% lower. Before transplantation, 62.8% were on long-term sick leave, compared with 47.4% 2 years later. Higher resource use and costs were associated with age