Abstract
This study analyzed hospital admissions for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in epidemiological and economic terms in Italy from 2015 to 2019. The volume of acute admissions for meningococcal diagnosis was analyzed in the period from 2015 to 2019. IMD admissions were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnoses. Costs were assessed using current DRG tariffs. In 2019, a total of 237 admissions for meningococcal disease were recorded in Italy. The mean age of patients was 36.1 years. Lumbar puncture was reported in only 14% of hospital discharge forms. From 2015 to 2019, there was a mean annual reduction of - 1.2% nationally for IMD hospitalizations. For 2019, the total costs for acute inpatient admissions were €2,001,093. Considering annual incidence due to IMD, a significant decrease was noted in the age group from 0 to 1 year (p = 0.010) during 2015-2019. For all years, mortality associated with meningeal syndrome was lower compared to septic shock with or without meningitis. From 2015 to 2019, hospitalizations for IMD appear to be decreasing slightly in Italy, even if mortality remains high. Favorable trends in hospitalizations for IMD were seen in the 0-1-year age group, which may be attributable to increased vaccination. Costs of hospitalizations for IMD remain high.