Work

Economic burden of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in Chinese hospitals: A 2019 analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Provides the first national estimate of the clinical and economic burden of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitalized patients in China. • Disease progression model tailored to reflect CRKP epidemiology and clinical outcomes in the Chinese healthcare context. • Integrates large-scale national surveillance (CARSS), published studies, and official statistics for robust estimates. • Demonstrates a substantial annual burden: 0.72 million DALYs and $4.46 billion in socioeconomic costs in 2019. • Highlights the urgent need for strengthened infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and development of rapid diagnostics and novel therapies against CRKP. : The resistance rate of Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) 1 1 Abbreviations : BSI, bloodstream infection; CARSS, China Antimicrobial Surveillance System; CHINET, China Antimicrobial Surveillance Network; CI, confidence interval; CRE, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales; CRKP, Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ; DALYs, disability-adjusted life-years; IAI, Intra-abdominal infection; LOS, length of stay; RESP, respiratory tract infection; OTH, other infections; PPP, Purchasing Power Parity; UN, United Nations; UTI, urinary tract infection; YLDs, the years lived with a disability; YLLs, years of life lost. resistance rate has risen by 20% over the past 19 years in China. The socioeconomic burden of CRKP infections has rarely been estimated. : We estimated the number of CRKP-infected inpatients, the DALYs lost, and the socioeconomic burden in China in 2019. Using national surveillance data (CARSS), published literature, and official statistics, we adapted Cassini’s disease progression model to the Chinese context to quantify the clinical and economic impact. Sensitivity analyses were adjusted for retirement age and age-specific mortality. : In 2019, an estimated 263 000 inpatients had CRKP infections, resulting in 0.72 million DALYs lost (2.73 per patient). Direct medical costs reached $0.61 billion, indirect costs $3.85 billion, totaling $4.46 billion (0.03% of 2019 GDP). Median annual cost per patient was $16 940. : CRKP infections impose significant health and economic burden on China. Enhanced infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and investment in rapid diagnostics and novel therapeutics are urgently needed. The methodology used in this study can also support burden assessments for other resistant pathogens in similar contexts.

Source: Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance

DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2025.11.006