ABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción: La insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) es una patología estructural o funcional del corazón que deteriora la capacidad de llenado, generando síntomas que afectan la calidad de vida y la funcionalidad. Es conocido el impacto de esta enfermedad sobre los sujetos que la padecen, pero ha sido poco explorado su impacto económico sobre los cuidadores. Objetivo: Estimar el impacto económico de la IC desde la perspectiva de los cuidadores informales. Resultados: Estudio cuantitativo, tipo evaluación económica parcial. Fueron incluidos 54 sujetos diagnosticados con IC y un cuidador informal por sujeto. La edad promedio de los sujetos con IC fue 70.61 años, la mayoría hombres (64.8%), con un tiempo de diagnóstico de 84 meses y un puntaje de Barthel de 81.94, que representa una dependencia leve. Respecto a los cuidadores, el 48.1% reportaban un vínculo laboral activo; el ingreso mediano fue de $1260.000 COP/mes. El número de horas de cuidado fue de 4.93 h/día. El impacto económico se reflejó en los ingresos mensuales, causando una pérdida de $644,017.50 por actividades de cuidado y en el tiempo laboral una reducción del 30%. El 29% de los ingresos fueron destinados a labores del cuidado; por lo tanto, generaron gastos que redujeron el 71% de los ingresos. De acuerdo con lo anterior, por cada 10 horas de trabajo se destinan 7 horas al cuidado. Conclusiones: La IC impacta de manera negativa la economía de los cuidadores informales de sujetos con esta patología.
Abstract Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a structural or functional pathology of the heart that impairs filling capacity of this organ, generating symptoms that affect quality of life and functionality in subjects who suffer this disease. This impact on economic life in caregivers of patients with HF has been poorly studied, therefore, there is a lack of information about this topic. Objective: To estimate the economic impact of HF from the perspective of informal caregivers. Type of study: quantitative study, partial economic evaluation type. Population and sample: 54 subjects diagnosed with HF and one informal caregiver per subject were included. Results: The average age of the subjects with HF is 70.61 years, most of them men (64.8%), with a diagnosis time of 84 months and a Barthel score of 81.94 points, which represents a mild dependency. Regarding caregivers, 48.1% reported an active employment relationship, the median income was $1,260,000 COP/month. The number of hours of care is 4.93 hours/day. The economic impact was reflected in monthly income, causing a loss of $644,017.50 due to care activities and a 30% reduction in working time. 29% of income was allocated to care work, therefore, they generated expenses that reduced 71% of income. According to the above, for every 10 hours of work, 7 hours are spent on care. Conclusions: HF negatively impacts the economy of the informal caregiver of subjects with this pathology.
ABSTRACT
From December 1997 to February 1998, prescriptions for 875 patients with colds at the three institutions listed were investigated. The prescriptions were divided into three groups according to the nature of the drugs; modern drugs, Kampo medicine and combined use of modern and Kampo medicine. Mean age, the number of prescribed drugs and the days of prescription were checked and the medicinal expenses were calculated. When using only modern drugs, daily expenses were 203.8yen in average. On the other hand, using only Kampo medicine they were 119.6yen. When using combination of modern and Kampo medicine, the expenses reached to 215.9yen. These results indicated that Kampo medicine was the most economical, because using only Kampo medicine made the expenses approximately 60% less than those using only modern drugs. Thus, at least 41.5 billion yen could be saved in 1998 calculating from the market share of the national medical supplies in each therapeutic category. In conclusion, treatment of colds with only Kampo medicine was considered to be the most cost-efficient way.
ABSTRACT
Objective To define the variety and action mechanism of endogenous health resources as well as their economic features, utilization results and influence and to put forward suggestions for giving priority to their development in policy making. Methods Materials from on the spot investigations and materials already available were used to conduct a positive economic study by means of combining document summaries with descriptive studies and analyses. Results Static, exogenous and endogenous health resources were defined, the contribution rate of progress in science and technology in 23 hospitals was determined to be 35.5%, senior human resources were found to be scarce, and the competitiveness of hospitals at the central hospital level was discovered to be weak. Conclusion Effective utilization and optimum distribution of endogenous health resources constitute the key to the realization of the structural readjustment of the health industry and the attainment of sustainable economic growth and development.