Atherosclerosis: The cost of illness in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Portugal and atherosclerosis is the most common underlying pathophysiological process. The aim of this study was to quantify the economic impact of atherosclerosis in Portugal by estimating disease-related costs. METHODS: Costs were estimated based on a prevalence approach and following a societal perspective. Three national epidemiological sources were used to estimate the prevalence of the main clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. The annual costs of atherosclerosis included both direct costs (resource consumption) and indirect costs (impact on population productivity). These costs were estimated for 2016, based on data from the Hospital Morbidity Database, the health care database (SIARS) of the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley including real-world data from primary care, the 2014 National Health Interview Survey, and expert opinion. RESULTS: The total cost of atherosclerosis in 2016 reached 1.9 billion euros (58% and 42% of which was direct and indirect costs, respectively). Most of the direct costs were associated with primary care (55%), followed by hospital outpatient care (27%) and hospitalizations (18%). Indirect costs were mainly driven by early exit from the labor force (91%). CONCLUSIONS: Atherosclerosis has a major economic impact, being responsible for health expenditure equivalent to 1% of Portuguese gross domestic product and 11% of current health expenditure in 2016.

Indirect costs of myocardial infarction in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease, and particularly myocardial infarction (MI), carries a significant economic burden, through productivity losses (indirect costs) associated with temporary absence from work, that has not yet been adequately studied in Portugal. Our objective was to quantify the indirect costs of MI in the first year after admission. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to a single center aged <66 years who survived to discharge during a one-year period were included. Employment status on admission was assessed and for every employed patient, their monthly wage was estimated from market wage rates taken from the Ministry of Labor database according to gender and age. The duration of temporary absence from work was assessed in follow-up contacts for up to one year. Indirect costs were calculated in this sample and the results were applied to the number of MIs in Portugal during 2016 and separately to ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were included, of whom 66.2% were working. The mean monthly labor cost was 1802 euros. A total cost of 760 521.55 euros was obtained. At national level there were 4133 patients aged <66 years admitted with acute MI who survived to discharge. Costs were higher in STEMI patients and the total indirect cost was estimated at 10.12 million euros. CONCLUSIONS: In Portugal, the costs to society of disability-generated productivity losses exceed ten million euros in the first year after MI. Strategies to promote an earlier return to work are needed to lower these costs.

Current costs of heart failure in Portugal and expected increases due to population aging. / Os custos da insuficiência cardíaca em Portugal e a sua evolução previsível com o envelhecimento da população.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health problem. This study estimates the current and future costs of HF in mainland Portugal. METHODS: Costs were estimated based on prevalence and from a societal perspective. The annual costs of HF included direct costs (resource consumption) and indirect costs (productivity losses). Estimates were mostly based on data from the Diagnosis-Related Groups database, real-world data from primary care, and the opinions of an expert panel. Costs were estimated for 2014 and, taking population aging into account, changes were forecast up to 2036. RESULTS: Direct costs in 2014 were €299 million (39% for hospitalizations, 24% for medicines, 17% for exams and tests, 16% for consultations, and the rest for other needs, including emergencies and long-term care). Indirect costs were €106 million (16% for absenteeism and 84% for reduced employment). Between 2014 and 2036, due to demographic dynamics, total costs will increase from €405 to €503 million. Per capita costs are estimated to rise by 34%, which is higher than the increase in total costs (+24%), due to the expected reduction in the resident population. CONCLUSIONS: HF currently has a significant economic impact, representing around 2.6% of total public health expenditure, and this is expected to increase in the future. This should be taken into account by health policy makers, alerting them to the need for resource management in order to mitigate the impact of this disease.

Impacto do afastamento do trabalho por doenças inflamatórias intestinais no Brasil / Impact of work disability due to inflammatory bowel diseases in Brazil

As doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII) podem ter impactos sociais e econômicos no Brasil, onde sua prevalência aumentou recentemente. Este estudo tem como objetivo principal avaliar a incapacidade por DII na população brasileira, descrevendo proporções com fatores demográficos e como objetivo secundário, a avaliação de possíveis fatores de risco de afastamento do trabalho por Doença de Crohn (DC) em um centro de referência em DII da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), cujo resultado pode refletir outras regiões do país. A análise foi realizada utilizando-se a plataforma do Sistema Único de Informações sobre Benefícios da Previdência Social, com um primeiro cruzamento de dados de auxílios doença e aposentadorias por invalidez com DC e Retocolite Ulcerativa (RCU) entre 2010-2014. Dados adicionais como valores médios de benefícios, duração do benefício, idade, sexo e região foram obtidos através da mesma plataforma. Um segundo cruzamento entre auxílios doença e aposentadorias por invalidez foi feito somente para DC entre 2010-2018 no estado do Rio de Janeiro e foram pesquisados os mesmos dados adicionais. Uma subanálise foi realizada nos casos de incapacidade em comum com os pacientes com DC da UERJ, para avaliação das características que teriam maior chance de atuar como fator de risco para afastamento do trabalho, se comparando com a população de DC desse ambulatório que não teve afastamento pelo Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS). No Brasil, a incapacidade temporária ocorreu com maior frequência na RCU enquanto a permanente na DC. A DC afastou pacientes mais jovens que a RCU e ambas mais mulheres que homens. As ausências temporárias do trabalho por DC e RCU foram maiores no Sul e as menores ausências por DC foram observadas no Norte e Nordeste. A média de dias de incapacidade foi longa, de quase um ano, sendo maiores na DC em comparação à RCU, porém ambos tenderam a diminuir de 2010 à 2014. O valor dos benefícios pagos pelas DII representou aproximadamente 1% de todos os benefícios da mesma natureza no país, sendo 51% dos gastos com DC. No RJ, a prevalência da DC foi de 26 por 100.000/habitantes, com custo indireto de 0,8% dos benefícios totais, apresentando taxa de 16,6% de incapacidade, similar a encontrada no grupo de pacientes da UERJ. Os fatores de risco de incapacidade por DC na UERJ foram idade menor que 40 anos a época do diagnóstico, tempo de duração da doença, cirurgia intestinal prévia e fístula anovaginal. Dos afastados, 19% apresentaram depressão ou ansiedade associados. A média de tempo entre o diagnóstico de DC e a incapacidade foi de 3 anos. No Brasil, as DII frequentemente causam incapacidade prolongada e podem gerar aposentadorias precoces, com programas de reabilitação profissional ainda pouco explorados. As tendências de redução das taxas de incapacidade no Brasil podem refletir melhorias no acesso a cuidados de saúde e a medicamentos. Os custos indiretos baseados apenas no absenteísmo em empregos foram significativos e a demonstração desse impacto socioeconômico e de fatores de risco de incapacidade podem auxiliar no planejamento de políticas públicas para o país.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can lead to Brazil's social and economic impacts, where their prevalence has recently increased. This study's main objective is to evaluate the disability due to IBD in the Brazilian population describing proportions with demographic factors. Secondly, it assesses possible risk factors of absence from work due to Crohn's disease (CD) in a referral center of IBD of the State University of RJ (UERJ), which results may reflect other regions of the country. The analysis was performed using the Unified Social Security Benefits Information System platform, with the first crossing of data on sickness benefits and disability pensions with CD and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) between 2010- 2014. Additional data, such as average benefit values, benefit duration, age, sex, and region of the country, were obtained through the same platform. A second crossing between sickness benefits and disability pensions was made only for CD between 2010-2018 in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) for the evaluation of the same additional data. A subanalysis was made in cases of CD disability in common with patients at UERJ, to assess the characteristics that would have a greater chance as a risk factor for absence from work, compared to the population of CD of this clinic that had no disability by the Institute National Social Security (INSS). In Brazil, temporary disability occurred more frequently in the UC while the permanent one in CD. Disability occurred in patients with CD younger than UC and both more in women than in men. Temporary absences from work due to CD and UC were more significant in the South, and the lowest absences due to CD were observed in the North and Northeast. The average number of days of disability was long, almost one year, being higher in CD than in UC, but both tended to decrease from 2010 to 2014. IBD's benefits represented approximately 1% of all the benefits of sickness in the country, with 51% of DC spending. In RJ, the prevalence of CD was 26 per 100,000 / inhabitants, with an indirect cost of 0.8% of total benefits, with a rate of 16.6% of disability, similar to that found in the group of patients at UERJ. The risk factors for CD disability in UERJ were age under 40 at the time of diagnosis, duration of the disease, previous intestinal surgery, and anovaginal fistula. Of those on absence from work 19% had associated depression or anxiety. The average time between the diagnosis of CD and disability was three years. In Brazil, IBDs often cause prolonged disability and can lead to early retirements, with professional rehabilitation programs still little explored. Trends in the reduction of disability rates in Brazil may reflect improvements in access to healthcare and medicines. The indirect costs with IBD in Brazil, based only in absenteeism, were significant, and demonstrating this socioeconomic impact and risk factors for disability can help plan public policies for the country.

Adaptação transcultural do instrumento "tool to estimate patient's costs" em municípios prioritários do Brasil no controle da tuberculose / Cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument "tool to estimate patient's costs" in priority municipalities of Brazil in tuberculosis control

Introduction: Tuberculosis is historically associated with poverty, generating costs that can influence treatment. Considering the impact of the costs of illness, the importance of adapting the instrument is highlighted. Objective: To adapt transculturally to Brazilian Portuguese the instrument Tool to Estimate Patient's Costs. Methods: Study of the type transcultural adaptation of instrument. The translation followed the criteria described by Herdman, 1998, in order to preserve functional equivalence as much as possible. The questionnaire with cross-cultural adaptation was applied to 77 patients, with at least one full month of treatment for the disease. Results: Instrument was shown with Cronbach Alpha above 0.71 constituting a good tool for measuring the costs of the disease, being necessary modifications. Conclusions: This study suggests the creation of an instrument adapted for the treatment of TB in Brazil, for the evaluation of costs with the illness by tuberculosis.

Introducción: La tuberculosis está históricamente asociada con la pobreza, generando costes que pueden influir en el tratamiento. Considerando el impacto de estas cuantías de la enfermedad, se destaca la importancia de la adaptación del instrumento. Objetivo: Adaptar transculturalmente al portugués brasileño la herramienta "Tool to Estimate Patient's Costs". Métodos: Estudio del tipo adaptación transcultural del instrumento. La traducción siguió los criterios descritos por Herdman (1998), para preservar al máximo la equivalencia funcional. El cuestionario, con adaptación transcultural, fue aplicado en 77 pacientes, con al menos un mes completo de tratamiento para la enfermedad. Resultados: El instrumento presentó resultado de 0,71 con el alfa de Cronbach, constituyéndose en una buena herramienta para medir los costes de la enfermedad, siendo necesarias modificaciones. Conclusiones: Este estudio sugiere la creación de un instrumento adaptado para el tratamiento de la TB en Brasil, para la evaluación de los costes con la enfermedad por tuberculosis.

Introdução: A tuberculose é historicamente associada à pobreza, gerando despesas que podem influenciar no tratamento. Considerando o impacto dos custos do adoecimento, destaca-se a importância da adaptação do instrumento. Objetivo: Adaptar transculturalmente para o português brasileiro o instrumento "Tool to Estimate Patient's Costs". Métodos: Estudo do tipo adaptação transcultural de instrumento. A tradução seguiu os critérios descritos por Herdman (1998), de forma a preservar ao máximo a equivalência funcional. O questionário, com adaptação transcultural, foi aplicado em 77 pacientes, com pelo menos um mês completo de tratamento para a doença. Resultados: Instrumento mostrou-se com alfa de Cronbach acima de 0,71, constituindo-se em uma boa ferramenta para mensuração dos custos da doença, sendo necessárias modificações. Conclusões: Este estudo sugere a criação de um instrumento adaptado para o tratamento da TB no Brasil, para avaliação dos custos com o adoecimento por tuberculose.

Indirect and direct costs of treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the Brazilian public health system.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis require a team approach from multiple professionals, various treatment modalities for continuous periods of time, and can lead to the loss of labour capacity in a young population. So, it is necessary to measure its socio-economic impact. OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of public resources to treat AS in a tertiary hospital after the use of biological medications was approved for treating spondyloarthritis in the Health Public System, establishing approximate values for the direct and indirect costs of treating this illness in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 93 patients selected from the ambulatory spondyloarthritis clinic at the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná between September 2011 and September 2012 had their direct costs indirect treatment costs estimation. RESULTS: 70 patients (75.28%) were male and 23 (24.72%) female. The mean age was 43.95 years. The disease duration was calculated based on the age of diagnosis and the mean was 8.92 years (standard deviation: 7.32); 63.44% were using anti-tumour necrotic factor drugs. Comparing male and female patients the mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index was 4.64 and 5.49 while the mean Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index was 5.03 and 6.35 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian public health system's spending related to ankylosing spondylitis has increased in recent years. An important part of these costs is due to the introduction of new, more expensive health technologies, as in the case of nuclear magnetic resonance and, mainly, the incorporation of anti-tumour necrotic factor therapy into the therapeutic arsenal. The mean annual direct and indirect cost to the Brazilian public health system to treat a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, according to our findings, is US$ 23,183.56.

Indirect and direct costs of treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the Brazilian public health system / Custos diretos e indiretos do tratamento de pacientes com espondilite anquilosante pelo sistema público de saúde brasileiro

ABSTRACT Introduction: Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) require a team approach from multiple professionals, various treatment modalities for continuous periods of time, and can lead to the loss of labour capacity in a young population. So, it is necessary to measure its socio-economic impact. Objectives: To describe the use of public resources to treat AS in a tertiary hospital after the use of biological medications was approved for treating spondyloarthritis in the Health Public System, establishing approximate values for the direct and indirect costs of treating this illness in Brazil. Material and methods: 93 patients selected from the ambulatory spondyloarthritis clinic at the Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Paraná between September 2011 and September 2012 had their direct costs indirect treatment costs estimation. Results: 70 patients (75.28%) were male and 23 (24.72%) female. The mean age was 43.95 years. The disease duration was calculated based on the age of diagnosis and the mean was 8.92 years (standard deviation: 7.32); 63.44% were using anti-TNF drugs. Comparing male and female patients the mean BASDAI was 4.64 and 5.49 while the mean BASFI was 5.03 and 6.35 respectively. Conclusions: The Brazilian public health system's spending related to ankylosing spondylitis has increased in recent years. An important part of these costs is due to the introduction of new, more expensive health technologies, as in the case of nuclear magnetic resonance and, mainly, the incorporation of anti-TNF therapy into the therapeutic arsenal. The mean annual direct and indirect cost to the Brazilian public health system to treat a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, according to our findings, is US$ 23,183.56.

RESUMO Introdução: Os pacientes com espondilite anquilosante (EA) exigem uma abordagem de equipe com vários profissionais e várias modalidades de tratamento, continuamente; além disso, a doença pode levar à perda da capacidade de trabalho em uma população jovem, de modo que é necessário medir o seu impacto socioeconômico. Objetivos: Descrever o uso de recursos públicos para o tratamento da EA em um hospital terciário após o uso dos fármacos biológicos ter sido aprovado para o tratamento das espondiloartrites pelo Sistema Público de Saúde e estabelecer valores aproximados para os custos diretos e indiretos do tratamento dessa doença no Brasil. Material e métodos: Foram estimados os custos de tratamento diretos e indiretos de 93 pacientes com EA do ambulatório de espondiloartrite do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, entre setembro de 2011 e setembro 2012. Resultados: Dos pacientes, 70 (75,28%) eram do sexo masculino e 23 (24,72%) do feminino. A idade média foi de 43,95 anos. A duração da doença foi calculada com base na idade do diagnóstico e a média foi de 8,92 anos (desvio padrão: 7,32); 63,44% dos indivíduos usavam fármacos anti-TNF. Na comparação dos pacientes dos sexos masculino e feminino, a média no Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (Basdai) foi de 4,64 e 5,49, enquanto a média no Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (Basfi) foi de 5,03 e 6,35, respectivamente. Conclusões: Os gastos do sistema público de saúde brasileiro relacionados com a espondilite anquilosante aumentaram nos últimos anos. Uma parte importante desses custos deve-se à introdução das novas tecnologias de saúde, mais dispendiosas, como no caso da ressonância nuclear magnética e, principalmente, da incorporação da terapia anti-TNF ao arsenal terapêutico. O custo médio anual direto e indireto do sistema público de saúde brasileiro para tratar de um paciente com espondilite anquilosante, de acordo com os resultados deste estudo, é de US$ 23.183,56.

Analysis of the direct and indirect costs of treatment of imported malaria in the Slovak Republic / Análise dos custos diretos e indiretos do tratamento da malária importada na República Eslovaca

This study analyzed the approximate cost of treatment of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of imported malaria in Slovakia. Between 2003 and 2007, 15 patients with imported malaria were hospitalized. The mean direct cost of the treatment was 970.75 euros and the mean indirect cost was 53.15 euros. For the patient with the highest cost of treatment, the use of mefloquine prophylaxis would have represented only 0.5 percent of the total direct cost of treating the disease. Despite the partial resistance of plasmodia, malaria chemoprophylaxis is unequivocally a cheaper choice than subsequent treatment of malaria.

Análise do custo aproximado do tratamento dos doentes hospitalizados na Eslováquia com malária importada. Entre 2003 a 2007, foram internados 15 doentes com malária importada. Os custos médios diretos do tratamento foram avaliados em 920,75 euros e indireto em 53,15 euros. No doente com o custo mais elevado de tratamento, a utilização da profilaxia com mefloquina representaria somente 0,5 por cento do total dos custos diretos do tratamento da doença. Apesar da resistência parcial do plasmódio, a quimioprofilaxia da malária é inequivocamente uma opção mais econômica do que o tratamento posterior da malária.