Trends In Hospitalization, Treatment Costs, And Length of Stay for Sickle Cell Disease Patients in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a major health concern in the United States, particularly among the Black population of African origin. It significantly impacts both patients and health facilities. This study, therefore, leverages a trend analysis of African American hospitalization rates, treatment costs, and lengths of stay from 1998 to 2020. The study used a quantitative analysis technique to assess the secondary datasets sourced from the National Hospital Discharge Surveys databases. The study found that the average cost of treatment for both adult and children SCD patients showed a consistent linear increase from 1998 to 2020. Conversely, the length of hospital stays exhibited a decreasing linear trend during the same period. However, the hospitalization rates did not display any linear trend. This evidence supports the view that SCD remains a significant source of ongoing economic costs and calls for specific actions to increase the availability of effective SCD care, optimize disease outcomes, and reduce health risks among those affected.

Keywords: Sickle Cell Disease, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization Trends, Treatment Costs, Length of Stay, African Americans, Health Disparities, Management of Disease, Health Insurance, Red Blood Cell, Policy.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/117-03

Publication date: July 30th 2024