Evaluating the Fiscal Burden of Essential Thrombocythemia in Sweden Through Application of a Government Perspective

Introduction

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with an annual incidence of 1.6 per 100,000 people in Sweden. ET causes a range of symptoms and increased risk of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events, which contribute to a significant clinical burden. ET can also impair daily functioning and work ability, leading to reduced labor force participation and indicating that its burden extends beyond the healthcare system. While the clinical aspects of ET are well described, evidence on its broader fiscal impact remains limited. This study explores the fiscal impact of ET in Sweden using a government perspective analytic framework. Methodology: A cohort-based fiscal model was developed that tracked the fiscal transactions of a cohort of individuals with ET compared to an age-matched cohort in the general population. Swedish data on economic activity, employment, productivity losses, disability, and retirement were incorporated, and the impact of ET on these outcomes was sourced from a targeted literature search. The incremental effect of ET on government tax revenue and spending on social support programs was combined with excess ET-attributable healthcare costs to generate the combined fiscal burden.