RESUMO
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is widely used in medicine, especially for contouring or volumizing soft tissue and intra-articular injection. However, it is not well known that HA injection can cause life-threatening pulmonary complications. We recently experienced a case of a woman who was diagnosed with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) after receiving an illegal vaginal HA filler injection. A 54-year-old female visited our clinic complaining of hemoptysis and dyspnea. Chest computed tomographic (CT) scan showed diffuse ground glass opacities and consolidation in both lower lobes. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) disclosed hemorrhagic feature in sequential samples compatible with DAH. There were no relevant drugs or past medical histories, and no positive result in autoantibodies tests. During detailed history taking, she recalled that she got an illegal HA filler injection in her vaginal wall performed by nonmedical personnel the very day before the onset of symptoms. Although the procedure itself or an additive of HA preparation could be a cause, HA that might have been introduced into circulation was thought to be the most possible cause for the development of DAH. The clinical symptoms and lung lesions were dramatically improved after the treatment with systemic steroid. Pulmonary complications after HA injections were scarcely reported. Only one case of HA-related DAH has been previously described so far. Our present case emphasizes that physician and other health care providers must be aware of possible pulmonary complications of this most widely-using injectable agent.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: Although heart failure (HF) is recognized as a leading contributor to healthcare costs and a significant economic burden worldwide, studies of HF-related costs in South Korea are limited. This study aimed to estimate HF-related costs per Korean patient per year and per visit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data obtained from six hospitals in South Korea. Patients with HF who experienced ≥one hospitalization or ≥two outpatient visits between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 were included. Patients were followed up for 1 year [in Korean won (KRW)]. RESULTS: Among a total of 500 patients (mean age, 66.1 years; male sex, 54.4%), the mean 1-year HF-related cost per patient was KRW 2,607,173, which included both, outpatient care (KRW 952,863) and inpatient care (KRW 1,654,309). During the post-index period, 22.2% of patients had at least one hospitalization, and their 1-year costs per patient (KRW 8,530,290) were higher than those of patients who had only visited a hospital over a 12-month period (77.8%; KRW 917,029). Among 111 hospitalized patients, the 1-year costs were 1.7-fold greater in patients (n=52) who were admitted to the hospital via the emergency department (ED) than in those (n=59) who were not (KRW 11,040,453 vs. KRW 6,317,942; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of healthcare costs for HF patients in South Korea was related to hospitalization, especially admissions via the ED. Appropriate treatment strategies including modification of risk factors to prevent or decrease hospitalization are needed to reduce the economic burden on HF patients.
