Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes con cáncer gástrico localmente avanzado o metastásico en Argentina / Retrospective analysis of patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer in Argentina

OBJETIVO Describir las características clínicas, los patrones de tratamiento y los costos asociados en pacientes con cáncer gástrico localmente avanzado o metastásico en Argentina, en los sectores público y privado. MÉTODOS Una cohorte histórica de pacientes que recibieron tratamiento de quimioterapia de primera línea (análogo de platino y/o una fluoropirimidina) y fueron seguidos durante al menos tres meses después de la última administración de un agente citotóxico de primera línea fueron elegibles. Se extrajeron los datos a través de un cuestionario estructurado a partir de los registros médicos de cuatro hospitales argentinos. Las estimaciones de los costos de tratamiento también se calcularon utilizando los costos unitarios de los hospitales participantes. RESULTADOS Entre los 101 pacientes, más de tres cuartas partes (79,2%) eran hombres, 41,6% fueron diagnosticados con enfermedad metastásica en estadio IV, la edad media fue de 57,7 años y el 27,7% tenían antecedentes de tabaquismo. Antes del diagnóstico de cáncer gástrico metastásico, el 42,4% de los pacientes habían recibido gastrectomía total. El 97% de los pacientes recibió una terapia doble o triplete, de los cuales el tratamiento más frecuente fue la epirubicina en combinación con oxaliplatino y capecitabina (38%), seguida de capecitabina + oxaliplatino (29%). Alrededor del 36% de los pacientes respondieron al tratamiento de primera línea (respuesta completa y parcial). Del 76,2% de los pacientes que siguieron un tratamiento de segunda línea, al 37,7% todavía se les administró un análogo de platino y/o fluoropirimidina. Durante el período de seguimiento, el 50% de los pacientes progresó y el 32,8% tenía enfermedad estable. La terapia de apoyo consistió principalmente en visitas ambulatorias después de la última línea de quimioterapia (16,8%), radioterapia paliativa (16,8%) y cirugía (30,7%). Se observaron diferencias significativas entre los costos de los hospitales públicos y privado. CONCLUSIONES Comprender los patrones de tratamiento en pacientes con cáncer gástrico localmente avanzado o metastásico puede ayudar a abordar las necesidades médicas no satisfechas para un mejor manejo del paciente y la mejora de sus resultados clínicos en Argentina.

AIM To assess patient and disease characteristics, treatment patterns and associated costs in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer in Argentina, in the public and private sectors. METHODS A historic cohort of patients who had received first-line chemotherapy treatment (platinum analog and/or a fluoropyrimidine) and were followed-up for at least three months after the last administration of a first-line cytotoxic agent were eligible. Case-report forms were prepared based on medical records from four Argentinian hospitals. Estimates of treatment costs were also calculated using the unit costs of the participating hospitals. RESULTS Of 101 patients, more than three quarters (79.2%) were male, 41.6% were diagnosed with metastatic stage IV disease (mean age, 57.7years), and 27.7 % had a smoking history. Before locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer diagnosis, 42.4% of the patients had received total gastrectomy. Ninety-seven percent of the patients received a doublet or triplet therapy, of which epirubicin in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine was the most common treatment (38%), followed by capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (29%). Around 36% of the patients responded to first-line treatment (complete and partial response). Out of the 76.2% of the patients who followed a second-line treatment, 37.7% were still administered a platinum analog and/or fluoropyrimidine. During the reported follow-up period, 50% of the patients progressed, and 32.8% had stable disease. The best supportive care consisted mostly of outpatient visits after last-line therapy (16.8%), palliative radiotherapy (16.8%), and surgery (30.7%). We observed significant differences between public and private hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS Understanding treatment patterns in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer may help address unmet medical needs for better patient management and improvement of their clinical outcome in Argentina.

Analysis on Death Cases of Oncology Department of the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine During 2007-2016 / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the death cases of the oncology inpatients of the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (hereinafter referred to as "this hospital") during 2007-2016; To provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of cancer, prognosis improvement and rational allocation of TCM health resources. Methods The death cases of the oncology inpatients from 2007 to 2016 were analyzed by retrospective medical history method from the aspects of causes of death, hospitalization costs and survival time. Results There were 830 death cases of the oncology inpatients in the hospital during 2007-2016, with 548 males and 282 females, and the mortality rate decreased year by year. The average hospitalization costs for patients was 39 630.86 yuan, of which TCM treatment cost 6206.98 yuan (15.66%). Patients with colon cancer had the highest proportion of TCM treatment costs (20.10%), followed by lung cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer. The top five causes of death were lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer. The sex ratio of patients who died of lung cancer was 1.61:1. The average survival time of male patients was 446.3 days, which was far lower than the 738.3 days of female patients. The cancers with long-term survival periods were cervical cancer, breast cancer, and rectal cancer. The cancers with shorter survival periods were pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. Conclusion The structure of death causes of the oncology inpatients in the hospital has a certain degree of representation. The prevention and control of lung cancer, especially male lung cancer should be strengthened; TCM health resources and prevention should be utilized rationally; the prognosis of patients with liver cancer should be improved, to improve the overall survival and quality of life of patients with breast cancer or cervical cancer, which is important for the prevention and treatment of malignant tumor.

Effect analysis on remission policy for TB treatment fee in Tilanqiao community of Shanghai / 上海预防医学

Objective To analyze the change in cost reduction for tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tilanqiao community of Shanghai from 2006 to 2016,and to evaluate the implement effect of TB remission policy in Shanghai.Methods The data were collected on treatment costs for 309 TB patients who had completed treatment and participated in the cost remission reimbursement by outpatient registration.The trend of deductible expenses and the remission costs were analyzed by SPSS.Results During the implementation of the original remission policy(ORP),the deductible expense was 1 021.06±457.67 yuan.And it changed to 2 320.64±1 544.73yuan under the new remission policy (NRP),which had an increase of 1.27 times and the new remission fee ratio was 45.19%.The deductible expenses change curve shown a trend of rising.The new remission fee ratio was 27.62% in 2009 and increased to 46.62% in 2010,then became 51.05% in 2016.The new remission fee ratio for outpatients was significantly lower than that for the hospitalized.During the implementation of the ORP,the remission cost was 931.05±465.47 yuan,and it was 1 507.80±974.15 of the NRP,which increased 61.95%.The remission ratio was 17.55% of the ORP,when it was 15.91% of the NRP which decreased by 1.64 percent.The remission ratio curve showed a trend of downward.The remission ratio for outpatients was significantly higher than that for the hospitalized.Conclusion From 2006 to 2016,the implement effect of remission policy on treatment costs of tuberculosis had improved.However,it had not effectively reduced the disease burden of TB patients.So in the follow-up remission policy,we must strengthen improvement on the settings of deductible project and control disease treatment.

Costs Attributable to Overweight and Obesity in Working Asthma Patients in the United States

PURPOSE: To estimate annual health care and productivity loss costs attributable to overweight or obesity in working asthmatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted using the 2003–2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) in the United States. Patients aged 18 to 64 years with asthma were identified via self-reported diagnosis, a Clinical Classification Code of 128, or a ICD-9-CM code of 493.xx. All-cause health care costs were estimated using a generalized linear model with a log function and a gamma distribution. Productivity loss costs were estimated in relation to hourly wages and missed work days, and a two-part model was used to adjust for patients with zero costs. To estimate the costs attributable to overweight or obesity in asthma patients, costs were estimated by the recycled prediction method. RESULTS: Among 11670 working patients with a diagnosis of asthma, 4428 (35.2%) were obese and 3761 (33.0%) were overweight. The health care costs attributable to obesity and overweight in working asthma patients were estimated to be $878 [95% confidence interval (CI): $861–$895] and $257 (95% CI: $251–$262) per person per year, respectively, from 2003 to 2013. The productivity loss costs attributable to obesity and overweight among working asthma patients were $256 (95% CI: $253–$260) and $26 (95% CI: $26–$27) per person per year, respectively. CONCLUSION: Health care and productivity loss costs attributable to overweight and obesity in asthma patients are substantial. This study's results highlight the importance of effective public health and educational initiatives targeted at reducing overweight and obesity among patients with asthma, which may help lower the economic burden of asthma.

Entrevista Percepción de Carga del Cuidado de Zarit: pruebas psicométricas para Colombia / Zarit Burden Interview: Psychometric Tests for Colombia / Entrevista de Percepção de Carga do Cuidado de Zarit: provas psicométricas para a Colômbia

Objetivo: determinar la validez y confiabilidad de la Entrevista de Percepción de Carga del Cuidado de Zarit, versión de 22 ítems en español, con cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedades crónicas en Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio metodológico de corte transversal, con 652 cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedades crónicas, residentes en las cinco regiones de Colombia, con el fin de establecer la validez de constructo, con un análisis factorial y la confiabilidad a través de la consistencia interna determinando el alfa de Cronbach. Resultado: respecto a la validez de constructo, el estudio reporta a partir de la asociación libre de la rotación Varimax la carga total, y en sus dimensiones que incluyen carga interpersonal, impacto del cuidado, y las competencias y expectativas sobre el cuidado. Las cargas factoriales corresponden a los ítems planteados para medir cada una de las dimensiones propuestas. Conclusión: el instrumento Entrevista de Percepción de Carga del Cuidado de Zarit, versión de 22 ítems en español, es una herramienta de fácil aplicación y comprensión en población colombiana de diferente nivel educativo, socioeconómico y cultural; además, mostró ser válido y confiable para evaluar la carga del cuidado en cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica.

Objective: This research was designed to determine the validity and reliability of the Zarit Burden Interview, specifically the 22-item Spanish version, as an instrument to measure the burden of care perceived by family caregivers of patients in Colombia with chronic diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 652 family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases who reside in five regions of Colombia was conducted to establish construct validity, with a factor analysis and internal consistency reliability measured by determining the Cronbach's alpha value. Result: In terms of construct validity, the study reports the total loading, based on free association of a varimax rotation, and in the dimensions that include interpersonal burden, impact of care, and skills and expectations about care. The factor loadings pertain to the items introduced to measure each of the proposed dimensions. Conclusion: The results showed the 22-item Spanish version of the Zarit Burden Interview is an instrument that can be applied and understood easily in a Colombian population with different educational, socio-economic and cultural levels. It also proved to be valid and reliable for assessing the burden of care perceived by family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases.

Objetivo: determinar a validade e confiabilidade da Entrevista de Percepção de Carga do Cuidado de Zarit, versão de 22 itens em espanhol, com cuidadores familiares de pessoas com doenças crônicas na Colômbia. Materiais e métodos: estudo metodológico de corte transversal, com 652 cuidadores familiares de pessoas com doenças crônicas, residentes nas cinco regiões da Colômbia, para estabelecer a validade de constructo, com uma análise fatorial, e a confiabilidade por meio da consistência interna que determina o alfa de Cronbach. Resultado: a respeito da validade de constructo, o estudo relata, a partir da associação livre da rotação Varimax, a carga total, e em suas dimensões que incluem carga interpessoal, impacto do cuidado, bem como as competências e expectativas sobre o cuidado. As cargas fatoriais correspondem aos itens apresentados para mediar cada uma das dimensões propostas. Conclusão: o instrumento Entrevista de Percepção de Carga do Cuidado de Zarit, versão de 22 itens em espanhol, é uma ferramenta de fácil aplicação e compreensão em população colombiana de diferente nível educativo, socioeconômico e cultural; além disso, mostrou ser válido e confiável para avaliar a carga do cuidado em cuidadores familiares de pessoas com doença crônica.

Clinical efficacy of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for intractable cancer pain / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release tablets (OHCT) and pa-tient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in the treatment of intractable cancer pain. Methods:Retrospective analysis was conduct-ed to evaluate the intractable cancer pain of 89 elderly patients who were admitted to the medical oncology departments of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University and the Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command between September 2012 and March 2014. Among the 89 patients, 47 were treated with OHCT, and 42 received PCIA. The total dosage ranged from 60 mg/d to 400 mg/d PO q12h for patients in the OHCT group, whereas abackground dose+patient-controlled dosemode was adopted for patients in the PCIA group. The therapeutic efficacy, presence of adverse reactions, cost of treatment, and degree of patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results:The average dosages of analgesics in the two groups were almost the same (P>0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS) values and daily average VAS values were both lower in the PCIA group than in the OHCT group at 24 h after analgesia (P0.05). Conclusion:Pa-tients who received PCIA attained better analgesia and exhibited less adverse reactions than those who received OHCT whereas the treatment cost and patient satisfaction did not differ in both groups.

Costos directos e indirectos del diagnóstico y tratamiento de reclusos con sífilis / Direct and indirect costs of the diagnosis and treatment of prisoners with syphilis

Se realizó un estudio de descripción de costos en el Centro Penitenciario "Mar Verde" de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2008 hasta diciembre del 2009, con vistas a calcular los costos directos e indirectos pertinentes para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes infectados por sífilis, para lo cual se compararon los resultados antes y después de efectuar una intervención educativa en la población de penados, por un grupo de promotores seleccionados y preparados en la prevención de infecciones de transmisión sexual. El impacto de la intervención se midió por medio de la disminución del número de afectados con sífilis. Finalmente, después de la actividad educativa, la incidencia de la enfermedad decreció en una tasa de 1,1 por cada 100 habitantes y los costos del tratamiento antiinfeccioso de los reclusos disminuyeron en $ 1 344,48, para obtener un beneficio económico de 1 513,04 pesos cubanos.

A study of costs description was carried out in "Mar Verde" Prison in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2008 to December, 2009, with the objective of calculating the direct and indirect pertinent costs for the diagnosis and treatment of patients infected by syphilis, for which the results were compared before and after developing an educational intervention in the prisoners population, by a group of selected and prepared promoters in the prevention of sexual transmission infections. The impact of the intervention was measured by means of a decrease in the number the affected prisoners with syphilis. Finally, after the educational activity, the incidence of the disease fell at a rate of 1,1 per 100 inhabitants and the costs of the treatment against infection of the prisoners decreased in $1 344,48, to obtain an economic benefit of 1 513,04 Cuban pesos.

Treatment-resistant depression increases health costs and resource utilization / Depressão resistente ao tratamento aumenta os custos e utilização de recursos

OBJECTIVE: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a debilitating condition with a marked social impact. The impact of MDD and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD+) within the Brazilian health system is largely unknown. The goal of this study was to compare resource utilization and costs of care for treatment-resistant MDD relative to non-treatment-resistant depression (TRD-). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 212 patients who had been diagnosed with MDD according to the ICD-10 criteria. Specific criteria were used to identify patients with TRD+. Resource utilization was estimated, and the consumption of medication was annualized. We obtained information on medical visits, procedures, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and medication use related or not to MDD. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 90 TRD+ and 122 TRD- patients. TRD+ patients used significantly more resources from the psychiatric service, but not from non-psychiatric clinics, compared to TRD- patients. Furthermore, TRD+ patients were significantly more likely to require hospitalizations. Overall, TRD+ patients imposed significantly higher (81.5%) annual costs compared to TRD- patients (R$ 5,520.85; US$ 3,075.34 vs. R$ 3,042.14; US$ 1,694.60). These findings demonstrate the burden of MDD, and especially of TRD+ patients, to the tertiary public health system. Our study should raise awareness of the impact of TRD+ and should be considered by policy makers when implementing public mental health initiatives.

OBJETIVO: O Transtorno Depressivo Maior (TDM) é uma condição debilitante com um forte impacto social. O impacto do TDM e Depressão Resistente ao Tratamento (DRT+) no sistema de saúde brasileiro é praticamente desconhecido. Nosso objetivo é comparar a utilização de recursos e custos dos cuidados para o tratamento de DRT+ em relação ao TDM não resistente (DRT-). MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os prontuários de 212 pacientes diagnosticados com TDM segundo a CID-10. Critérios específicos foram utilizados para identificar pacientes com DRT+. A utilização dos recursos foi estimada e consumo de medicamentos foram anualizados. Foram obtidas informações sobre consultas, procedimentos, internações, atendimentos no serviço de emergência e uso de medicação relacionada ou não ao TDM. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta de 90 pacientes DRT+ e 122 DRT-. Pacientes DRT+ utilizaram significativamente mais recursos do serviço de psiquiatria, mas não em clínicas não psiquiátricas, em relação a DRT-. Eles eram significativamente mais propensos a exigir internações. Pacientes DRT+ apresentaram um custo direto anual significativamente maior (81,5%) do que pacientes com depressão não resistente (R$ 5.520,85; US$ 3.075,34 contra R$ 3.042,14, US$ 1.694,60). Estes resultados demonstram o impacto do TDM, principalmente da DRT+ ao sistema de saúde público terciário. Nosso estudo deve aumentar a sensibilização para o impacto da DRT + e deve ser considerado pelos formuladores de políticas públicas na implementação de iniciativas de saúde mental.

Syndromic Management of Common Illnesses in Hospitalized Children and Neonates: A Cost Identification Study.

Objective To find out drug treatment cost per illness per patient admitted to pediatric ward. Methods Patients admitted to pediatric ward over a period of 1 year were studied without exclusions. Following presentations were studied: fever, rapid breathing, diarrhea, severe malnutrition and neurological problems such as altered conscious level or convulsion. In this prospective observational study, patients with other problems were excluded. The subjects were also categorized as critically sick, sick and stable. Expenditure on medicines was calculated individually for each patient. Total expenditure, average cost and illness-wise cost were subsequently derived. Management of illnesses was on the lines of existing guidelines of our center. Sick newborns or newborns referred for special care were separately studied. Following outcome variables were studied: death or discharge, length of hospital stay and the day on which symptomatic relief was noted. Results 774 children and 141 newborns were studied. 25 (3.2%) died. Presenting features were as follows: fever-568 (73.4%), rapid breathing-175 (22.6%), diarrhea-145 (18.7%), mild-moderate malnutrition-278 (35.8%), severe malnutrition-111 (14.3%) and neurological problems-41 (5.3%). Category-wise distribution was as follows: critically sick-89 (11.3%), sick-188 (24.3%) and stable-497 (46.2%). Average hospital stay was 7.1 days and symptomatic relief was experienced by day three in 77.7% cases. Average cost of medicines per patient was INR-167.8 (USD-4.2), 173 patients required oxygen and mean expenditure on oxygen was INR-310 (USD-8) and 68 patients required inotropes with a mean expenditure of INR-198 (USD-5). Of the 141 newborns admitted, 20(14.1%) died. Mean hospital stay was 9.8 days and average cost of drug treatment was INR-790 (USD-20) in newborns. Conclusions This cost analysis study presents drug treatment costs for common illnesses at a referral centre in a developing country. It gives an option to choose drugs for an optimum mix of cost and effectiveness.

Avaliação da necessidade da solicitação de exames complementares para pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva de hospital universitário / Laboratory exams necessity for patients admitted to an university hospital intensive care unity

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O aumento progressivo nos recursos diagnósticos tem aumentado a qualidade e a quantidade dos exames de laboratório realizados nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). A influência deste aumento sobre a morbidade e mortalidade não está bem definida. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a freqüência da solicitação de exames na UTI do HU e verificar se houve ou não relação entre a quantidade de exames solicitados e a idade dos pacientes, o seu desfecho e a gravidade das doenças. MÉTODO: Coorte prospectiva, com abordagem quantitativa. Foram analisados os exames dos pacientes internados na UTI, dos meses de julho a dezembro, 2005. Foram coletados dados clínicos e demográficos dos pacientes e quantificados diariamente os exames mais freqüentemente solicitados na UTI. Seqüencialmente a média diária de exames foi calculada para todo o período de internação. Para fins de análise os pacientes foram divididos obedecendo três critérios: faixa etária, desfecho de saída da UTI e gravidade. Para a análise estatística foram utilizados os testes Exato de Fisher, Qui-quadrado e ANOVA. RESULTADOS: Foram admitidos 113 pacientes durante o período de estudo. A taxa média foi de 11,5 exames por dia de internação. Estes valores não apresentaram diferença estatística quando comparados entre os pacientes com idade acima ou abaixo de 60 anos, entre os que sobreviveram e os que foram a óbito e entre aqueles que tiveram taxa de óbito estimada em menos que 50 por cento ou mais que 50 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Os exames solicitados não guardam correlação clínica e prognóstica com sua solicitação. Não houve estatística significativa quando a taxa diária média de exames foi relacionada à idade do paciente, ao desfecho e à gravidade.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The progressive increasing diagnostic resources had influenced the quality and quantity of laboratory exams. It is not clear if the amount of exams performed influence the morbidity and mortality in the ICU patients. The purpose of this study was to appraise the frequency of the most ordering tests in the ICU of HU-UFSC and to check if there was connection between them and the age, the destiny until the ICU discharge and the estimate severity of their diseases. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with qualitative approach. The blood samples of admitted patients were analyzed, from July to December 2005. Clinical and demographic features were collected and the most frequently blood-samples were quantified per day. In the sequence the daily rate of exams were calculated during all the admission period. The patients were analyzed according to three criterions: age, destiny until the ICU discharge and estimate severity according to APACHE II index. Data were analyzed using Fisher Exact, Chi-square and ANOVA tests. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients were enrolled to this study. The average test-ordering was 11.50 per day. These numbers didn't have statistical difference when they were compared between survivor and non-survivor patients, and between those whose the death estimated tax was bigger or smaller than 50 per cent. CONCLUSIONS: The test-ordering didn't show clinical and prognostic relation to its request. There were no statistic relation between the patient's age, ICU discharge and the estimate severity.

Secondary prevention of stroke with antiplatelets - An economics analysis

The burden of stroke therapy has been ameliorated to a great extent with the use of anti-platelet agent for secondary prevention. The cost of health care in general is rising. Economic factors play a significant role in the cost of hospitalization for stroke patients in general and in the choice of anti-platelet agents in particular. The goal of this study is (1) to compare the total costs associated with prescription of anti-platelet drugs, (2) to determine the number-needed-to-treat (NNT) with each of the different anti-platelet drugs in the market: aspirin, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, cilostazol and clipidogrel; and (3) determine the direct cost incurred with the use of each anti-platelet drug. To do this, a cost-minimization analysis of total costs was done. Data were collected from all randomized control trials published evaluating drug treatment vs. placebo. Event rates, absolute risk reduction and NNT were calculated. Cost computation was done from direct medication and additional expenses were included for treatment or monitoring of adverse effects. Transportation and professional fees were excluded. The results of the study showed the following: NNT for ASA: 33; DP: 50; DP-ASA: 17; Ticlopidine: 33; Cilostazol: 17 and Clopidogrel: 100. Direct cost for two years treatment for ASA: Php13,678.90; DP: Php18,615.00, DP-ASA: Php3l,615.00, Ticlopidine: Php77,060.00, Cilostazol: Php64,240.00 and Clopidogrel: Php64,240,00. Total costs to prevent 1 stroke in two years treatment for ASA: Php451,403.70, DP: Php930,750.00, DP-ASA: Php537,455.00, Ticlopidine: Php2,542,980.00, Cilostazol: Phpl,092,080.00 and Clopidogrel: Php6,424,000.00. We conclude that aspirin should be the mainstay of therapy in preventing secondary stroke. (Author)