Burden of genital warts in Colombia: an observational study / Carga das verrugas genitais na Colômbia: um estudo observacional

Introduction: Genital warts are benign lesions caused by sexual transmission of human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, with significant impact on healthcare resource use and patients' quality of life. Objective: To describe the epidemiology of genital warts in adults visiting a physician office for any reason, physician practice patterns, and healthcare resource use and costs in Colombia. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of 53 physicians in 5 specialties: primary care (15), gynecology (24), urology (12), proctology (1), and dermatology (1). Physicians completed a survey and daily log of all patients 18-60 years old seen over 10 days in their practices in 2016-2017. The physician survey recorded genital warts consultation and management patterns. The daily log recorded patient demographic information and genital warts diagnosis. Results: Among 6,393 patients logged by physicians, the genital warts prevalence was 2.03% (95%CI 1.69­2.38) and incidence 1.30% (95%CI 1.02­1.58). Primary care physicians referred most of their genital warts cases for treatment (female: mean 63.3%, SD=44.8; male: mean 58.3%, SD=43.8). Treatment of non-resistant episodes (<6-month duration) lasted an average of 37.4 days (SD=29.4) and required an average of 4.0 (SD=1.9) office visits for females and 3.0 (SD=1.7) for males. The overall mean cost of an episode of care was USD558.13 (SD=507.30). Conclusion: Genital warts cases reported by most participant physicians were mainly direct-consult, but patients were typically treated by specialists. Much of the genital warts health care utilization and costs reported could be prevented by immunization with the quadrivalent or nonavalent HPV vaccine.

Introdução: As verrugas genitais são lesões benignas, de transmissão sexual, causadas pelo papilomavírus humano tipos 6 e 11 e que causam impacto significativo no uso de recursos de saúde e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Objetivo: Descrever a epidemiologia das verrugas genitais em adultos que buscaram atendimento médico ambulatorial por qualquer motivo, incluindo padrões de prática médica, uso de recursos de saúde e custos na Colômbia. Métodos: foi utilizada uma amostra de conveniência composta por 53 médicos em 5 especialidades: clínico geral (15), ginecologia (24), urologia (12), proctologia (1) e dermatologia (1). Os médicos completaram um questionário e registros diários de todos os pacientes com idade entre 18 e 60 anos atendidos durante 10 dias em seus consultórios em 2016-2017. O questionário registrou os padrões de prática médica e de tratamento de verrugas genitais. Os registros diários continham informações demográficas do paciente e o diagnóstico de verrugas genitais. Resultados: Entre 6.393 atendimentos médicos, a prevalência das verrugas genitais foi de 2,03% (IC95% 1,69­2,38) e a incidência de 1,30% (IC95% 1,02­1,58). Os clínicos gerais encaminharam a maioria dos pacientes com verrugas genitais para tratamento (mulheres: média de 63,3%, DP=44,8; homens: média de 58,3%, DP=43,8). O tratamento dos casos não-persistentes (<6 meses de duração) durou em média 37,4 dias (DP=29,4) e requereu uma média de 4,0 (DP=1,9) consultas para mulheres e 3,0 (DP=1,7) para homens. O custo médio geral do tratamento foi de US$ 558,13 (SD=507,30). Conclusão: Os casos de verrugas genitais relatados pela maioria dos médicos participantes derivaram-se principalmente de atendimentos primários e os pacientes foram tratados geralmente por especialistas. Grande parte da utilização de recursos e custos relacionados a verrugas genitais poderia ser evitada pela imunização com a vacina papilomavírus humano 4-valente ou 9-valente.

Incidence, psychosocial burden, and economic impact of genital warts in Mexico / Incidencia, carga psicosocial e impacto económico de las verrugas genitales en México

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the burden of genital warts (GW) in Mexico. Materials and methods: We estimated the annual incidence of GW based on data reported by specialist physicians. We also assessed GW treatment practices, the average cost of treatment, and the psychosocial burden of GW among patients. Results: The annual incidence of GW in Mexico was estimated to be 547 200 cases. Treatment procedures vary by specialist and patient gender. The estimated annual cost was $195 million USD. The psychosocial impact of GW was slightly greater in males than females. Conclusions: This is the first evaluation of the burden of GW in Mexico. Our data suggest that GW are common, with significant health-related costs and psychosocial impact.

Resumen: Objetivo: Estimar la carga por verrugas genitales (VG) en México. Material y métodos: Estimamos la incidencia anual de VG, con base en información proporcionada por médicos especialistas y el manejo de las VG, así como el costo promedio del tratamiento y la carga psicosocial de las VG. Resultados: La incidencia anual de VG en México fue de 547 200 casos. Los tratamientos variaron según la especialidad y el sexo del paciente. El costo anual por VG fue de $195 millones de dólares estadounidenses. El impacto psicosocial de las VG es ligeramente mayor en hombres que en mujeres. Conclusiones: Esta es la primera evaluación de la carga de VG en México. Los datos sugieren que las VG son frecuentes, tienen costos relacionados con salud e impactos psicosociales significativos.

Hospital charge of gynecological in-patients at Ramathibodi Hospital.

There have been few studies of hospital charge done in Thailand and that led us to be aware of health economics. In this cross sectional study, 182 gynecological in-patients admitted between July 1 and 31, 1990 were recruited. Mean hospital charge was 3,258.50 baht. The patients's employers bore the main financial burden (48%). The hospital bore 9 per cent of this total financial burden, and the rest (44%) was self paid. The amount of hospital charge may depend on some factors. Further study of this subject should be conducted.