Trends in Health Service Utilization for Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in China

Background: In recent years, the use of biologics has become increasingly prevalent in the treatment of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The KDIGO guidelines recommend B-cell-targeted biologics for managing lupus nephritis, and emerging evidence indicates that these therapies effectively reduce disease activity and improve long-term outcomes. However, in real-world clinical practice, it remains unclear whether health service utilization metrics have evolved in response to the increasing adoption of biologics. Methods: This study analyzed medical data from pediatric SLE patients in Beijing between June 2015 and June 2023, utilizing the Hospital Quality Monitoring System database. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to assess temporal trends in health service utilization, including hospitalization costs, hospitalization rates, and length of stay, as well as to explore the potential influence of biologic therapies on these trends. Results: A total of 14,695 hospitalization episodes from 3,140 unique pediatric SLE patients were included in the analysis. Over the eight-year period, the average length of stay decreased from 16.99 days per person-year to 15.86 days. Conversely, hospitalization costs increased from CNY 30,334.55 to CNY 40,144.82 per patient-year, and hospitalization rates rose from 2.64 to 3.50 admissions per year. Potential inflection points in the changes of health service utilization indicators are currently under investigation to determine the impact of biologic adoption. Conclusion: Over the past several years, hospitalizations for pediatric SLE in Beijing have demonstrated a pattern characterized by increased frequency and cost, alongside a reduction in the duration of hospital stays. Further detailed analysis is required to fully elucidate the role of biologic therapies in shaping these trends. Funding: Clinical Revenue Support, Government Support – Non-U.S.