ABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Analizar el coste-efectividad de la aplicación de algoritmos diagnósticos en pacientes con sospecha de un primer episodio de trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) en la atención primaria, en comparación con la derivación sistemática a centros especializados. Diseño: Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico. EMPLAZAMIENTO: Pacientes seleccionados en urgencias hospitalarias derivados desde la atención primaria para completar estudio y diagnóstico. Participantes: Se reclutó a 138 candidatos con clínica compatible con un primer episodio de TVP; 22 fueron excluidos (sin informe de derivación, clínica de más de 30 días, anticoagulados y TVP previa), incluyéndose finalmente a 116 pacientes, un 61% mujeres, de 71 años edad media. Mediciones principales: Variables de las escalas de probabilidad clínica de Wells y Oudega, dímero-D (portátil y hospitalario), ecografía-Doppler y costes directos generados por los 3 circuitos analizados: derivación sistemática de todos los pacientes, derivación según escala de Oudega o de Wells. RESULTADOS: En el 18,9% se confirmó el diagnóstico de TVP. Las 2 escalas de probabilidad clínica presentaron una sensibilidad del 100% (IC del 95%: 85,1-100) y una especificidad alrededor del 40%. Con la aplicación de las escalas, se hubiesen podido evitar con total seguridad un tercio de las derivaciones a urgencias hospitalarias (p < 0,001) y se hubieran podido disminuir los costes del proceso diagnóstico en 8.620 € según Oudega y 9.741 € según Wells, por cada 100 pacientes atendidos. CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación de algoritmos diagnósticos en las sospechas de TVP permitiría al médico de atención primaria una orientación más resolutiva y coste-efectiva del proceso diagnóstico
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the cost effectiveness of the application of diagnostic algorithms in patients with a first episode of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Primary Care compared with systematic referral to specialised centres. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional, analytical study. Location: Patients from hospital emergency rooms referred from Primary Care to complete clinical evaluation and diagnosis. Participants: A total of 138 patients with symptoms of a first episode of DVT were recruited; 22 were excluded (no Primary Care report, symptoms for more than 30 days, anticoagulant treatment, and previous DVT). Of the 116 patients finally included, 61% women and the mean age was 71 years. Main measurements: Variables from the Wells and Oudega clinical probability scales, D-dimer (portable and hospital), Doppler ultrasound, and direct costs generated by the three algorithms analysed: all patients were referred systematically, referral according to Wells and Oudega scale. RESULTS: DVT was confirmed in 18.9%. The two clinical probability scales showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 85.1 to 100) and a specificity of about 40%. With the application of the scales, one third of all referrals to hospital emergency rooms could have been avoided (P < .001). The diagnostic cost could have been reduced by € 8,620 according to Oudega and € 9,741 according to Wells, per 100 patients visited. CONCLUSION: The application of diagnostic algorithms when a DVT is suspected could lead to better diagnostic management by physicians, and a more cost effective process
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Venous Thrombosis/diagnosis , Venous Thrombosis/pathology , Venous Thrombosis/therapy , Cost-Benefit Analysis/methods , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Primary Health Care/methods , Algorithms , 50303 , Echocardiography, Doppler/methods , Echocardiography, Doppler , Cross-Sectional Studies , Observational Study , Laboratory and Fieldwork Analytical Methods , Interviews as Topic , Evaluation of the Efficacy-Effectiveness of InterventionsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the cost effectiveness of the application of diagnostic algorithms in patients with a first episode of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Primary Care compared with systematic referral to specialised centres. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional, analytical study. LOCATION: Patients from hospital emergency rooms referred from Primary Care to complete clinical evaluation and diagnosis. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 138 patients with symptoms of a first episode of DVT were recruited; 22 were excluded (no Primary Care report, symptoms for more than 30 days, anticoagulant treatment, and previous DVT). Of the 116 patients finally included, 61% women and the mean age was 71 years. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Variables from the Wells and Oudega clinical probability scales, D-dimer (portable and hospital), Doppler ultrasound, and direct costs generated by the three algorithms analysed: all patients were referred systematically, referral according to Wells and Oudega scale. RESULTS: DVT was confirmed in 18.9%. The two clinical probability scales showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 85.1 to 100) and a specificity of about 40%. With the application of the scales, one third of all referrals to hospital emergency rooms could have been avoided (P<.001). The diagnostic cost could have been reduced by 8,620 according to Oudega and 9,741 according to Wells, per 100 patients visited. CONCLUSION: The application of diagnostic algorithms when a DVT is suspected could lead to better diagnostic management by physicians, and a more cost effective process.
