Health-related quality of life and economic burden of hospitalized children with meningitis in China: A multiregional study

Meningitis is a serious disease and it brings challenges to the health system worldwide. The aim was to estimate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and economic burden of children with meningitis in China and to explore the associated factors. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted to track HRQOL measured with a proxy version of the proxy youth version of the 5-level EuroQol-five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D-Y) in children under six years of age before and after receiving medical treatment for meningitis, and to collect data on both direct and indirect costs associated with the disease in multiregions. A total of 323 subjects were included in the study. The mean EQ-5D-Y utility value was 0.701 (standard deviation (SD) 0.202) (EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) score: 55.5 (17.5)) at baseline, with the most reported problems occurring in two dimensions: having pain or discomfort (94.4%) and feeling worried, sad or unhappy (89.8%). At discharge, the mean utility value increased to 0.926 (0.104) (EQ-VAS score: 89.8 (10.3)). The average total cost and hospitalization cost was 12,260 Chinese Yuan (CNY) and 7723 CNY, respectively. Region and loss of the work time were the main factors both had impact on utility value and total cost in regression analyses. These findings indicate substantial regional variation in HRQOL outcomes and highlight the heavy economic burden meningitis imposes on affected families and society. • Regional differences found in utility scores with meningitis. • Hospitalization and total costs differed significantly across regions. • Meningitis imposed a substantial economic burden on families. • Targeted policies to reduce costs and improve insurance in low-income regions are needed.