Macromastia: an economic burden? A disease cost analysis based on real-world data in Germany.

PURPOSE: Symptomatic macromastia causes physical and psychological problems that can lead to restrictions in the patients' social and working lives and a reduced quality of life. Associated medical treatments also have a considerable impact on health-care costs. Several studies have assessed these costs, but the total disease costs of macromastia have never been evaluated on the basis of real-world data. METHODS: The data for 76 patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty between 2008 and 2016 were collected using a two-part questionnaire (preoperative and postoperative), as well as the patient files. Topics surveyed, besides demographic data, included physician visits, medical imaging, medical procedures, medical treatments, rehabilitation and convalescent measures, drug intake, medical aids, exercise activity, and sick leave days before surgery, to calculate the costs per year of conservative treatment of symptomatic macromastia. RESULTS: The mean time from start of symptoms to surgery was 11.82 years. The data for this group of patients with symptomatic macromastia show that costs per patient amount to €1677.55 per year. These costs include medical consultation, radiological imaging, medical treatments and procedures, physical therapy and rehabilitation, medication, special brassieres, exercise classes costs for sick leave due to problems with macromastia, and travel expenses. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that considerable health-care costs arise due to macromastia with conservative treatment. Overall, macromastia costs €1677.55 per patient/year. In particular, lost productivity due to sick days and the costs of physiotherapy are factors driving the high costs.

[Costs attributable to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the Unified Health System, Brazil, 2018Costos atribuibles a la obesidad, la hipertensión y la diabetes en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil, 2018]. / Custos atribuíveis a obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost attributable to arterial hypertension, diabetes and obesity in the Unified Health System of Brazil in 2018. METHOD: The study estimated the cost attributable to non-communicable chronic diseases based on relative risk and population prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, considering the cost of hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and medications distributed by the SUS to treat these diseases. Cost data were obtained from SUS information systems. The analysis explored the cost of disease according to sex and age in the adult population. RESULTS: The total cost of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in the SUS reached R$ 3.45 billion (95%CI: 3.15-3.75) in 2018, that is, more than US$ 890 million. Of this amount, 59% referred to the treatment of hypertension, 30% to diabetes, and 11% to obesity. The age group from 30 to 69 years accounted for 72% of the total costs, and women accounted for 56%. When obesity was considered separately as a risk factor for hypertension and diabetes, the cost attributable to this diseases reached R$ 1.42 billion (95%CI: 0.98-1.87), i.e., 41% of the total cost. CONCLUSIONS: The estimates of costs attributable to the main chronic diseases associated with inadequate diet revealed a heavy economic burden of these disorders for the SUS. The data show the need to prioritize integrated and intersectoral policies for the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and may support the advocacy for interventions such as fiscal and regulatory measures to ensure that the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition are met.

OBJETIVO: Estimar los costos atribuibles a la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes y la obesidad en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) de Brasil en el 2018. MÉTODOS: Se estimaron los costos atribuibles a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles a partir de los riesgos relativos y de las tasas de prevalencia poblacional de hipertensión, diabetes y obesidad, teniendo en cuenta los costos de hospitalización, los procedimientos ambulatorios y los medicamentos distribuidos por el SUS para el tratamiento de esas enfermedades. Los datos de costos se obtuvieron en los sistemas de información de salud disponibles en el SUS. En el análisis se exploraron los costos de las enfermedades según el sexo y la edad de la población adulta. RESULTADOS: Los costos totales atribuibles a la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad en el SUS alcanzaron R$ 3,450 milliones (IC 95%: de 3,15 a 3,75) en el 2018, o sea, más de US$ 890 millones. De esos costos, 59% correspondió al tratamiento de la hipertensión, 30% al de la diabetes y 11% al de la obesidad. En total, 72% de los costos correspondieron a personas de 30 a 69 años y 56%, a mujeres. Al considerarse por separado la obesidad como factor de riesgo de hipertensión y diabetes, los costos atribuibles a esa enfermedad alcanzaron R$ 1.420 millones (IC 95%: de 0,98 a 1,87), o sea, 41% del total. CONCLUSIONES: Las estimaciones de los costos atribuibles a las principales enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la alimentación inadecuada ponen de manifiesto la pesada carga económica de esas enfermedades para el SUS. Los datos muestran la necesidad de priorizar políticas integradas e intersectoriales para la prevención y el control de la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad, y permiten apoyar la defensa de intervenciones como medidas fiscales y regulatorias para alcanzar los objetivos del Decenio de las Naciones Unidas de Acción sobre la Nutrición.

Custos atribuíveis a obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2018 / Costs attributable to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the Unified Health System, Brazil, 2018 / Costos atribuibles a la obesidad, la hipertensión y la diabetes en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil, 2018

RESUMO Objetivo. Estimar os custos atribuíveis a hipertensão arterial, diabetes e obesidade no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no Brasil em 2018. Métodos. Realizou-se uma estimativa dos custos atribuíveis a doenças crônicas não transmissíveis a partir dos riscos relativos e das prevalências populacionais de hipertensão, diabetes e obesidade, considerando custos de hospitalizações, procedimentos ambulatoriais e medicamentos distribuídos pelo SUS para tratamento dessas doenças. As informações de custo foram obtidas nos sistemas de informação em saúde disponíveis no SUS. A análise explorou os custos das doenças segundo sexo e idade na população adulta. Resultados. Os custos totais de hipertensão, diabetes e obesidade no SUS alcançaram 3,45 bilhões de reais (R$) (IC95%: 3,15 a 3,75) em 2018, ou seja, mais de 890 milhões de dólares (US$). Desses custos, 59% foram referentes ao tratamento da hipertensão, 30% ao do diabetes e 11% ao da obesidade. No total, 72% dos custos foram com indivíduos de 30 a 69 anos de idade e 56%, com mulheres. Considerando separadamente a obesidade como fator de risco para hipertensão e diabetes, os custos atribuíveis a essa doença chegaram a R$ 1,42 bilhão (IC95%: 0,98 a 1,87), ou seja, 41% dos custos totais. Conclusões. As estimativas dos custos atribuíveis às principais doenças crônicas associadas à alimentação inadequada evidenciam a grande carga econômica dessas doenças para o SUS. Os dados mostram a necessidade de priorizar políticas integradas e intersetoriais para a prevenção e o controle da hipertensão, do diabetes e da obesidade e podem apoiar a defesa de intervenções como medidas fiscais e regulatórias para alcançar os objetivos da Década de Ação das Nações Unidas sobre Nutrição.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective. To estimate the cost attributable to arterial hypertension, diabetes and obesity in the Unified Health System of Brazil in 2018. Method. The study estimated the cost attributable to non-communicable chronic diseases based on relative risk and population prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, considering the cost of hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and medications distributed by the SUS to treat these diseases. Cost data were obtained from SUS information systems. The analysis explored the cost of disease according to sex and age in the adult population. Results. The total cost of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in the SUS reached R$ 3.45 billion (95%CI: 3.15-3.75) in 2018, that is, more than US$ 890 million. Of this amount, 59% referred to the treatment of hypertension, 30% to diabetes, and 11% to obesity. The age group from 30 to 69 years accounted for 72% of the total costs, and women accounted for 56%. When obesity was considered separately as a risk factor for hypertension and diabetes, the cost attributable to this diseases reached R$ 1.42 billion (95%CI: 0.98-1.87), i.e., 41% of the total cost. Conclusions. The estimates of costs attributable to the main chronic diseases associated with inadequate diet revealed a heavy economic burden of these disorders for the SUS. The data show the need to prioritize integrated and intersectoral policies for the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and may support the advocacy for interventions such as fiscal and regulatory measures to ensure that the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition are met.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo. Estimar los costos atribuibles a la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes y la obesidad en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) de Brasil en el 2018. Métodos. Se estimaron los costos atribuibles a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles a partir de los riesgos relativos y de las tasas de prevalencia poblacional de hipertensión, diabetes y obesidad, teniendo en cuenta los costos de hospitalización, los procedimientos ambulatorios y los medicamentos distribuidos por el SUS para el tratamiento de esas enfermedades. Los datos de costos se obtuvieron en los sistemas de información de salud disponibles en el SUS. En el análisis se exploraron los costos de las enfermedades según el sexo y la edad de la población adulta. Resultados. Los costos totales atribuibles a la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad en el SUS alcanzaron R$ 3,450 milliones (IC 95%: de 3,15 a 3,75) en el 2018, o sea, más de US$ 890 millones. De esos costos, 59% correspondió al tratamiento de la hipertensión, 30% al de la diabetes y 11% al de la obesidad. En total, 72% de los costos correspondieron a personas de 30 a 69 años y 56%, a mujeres. Al considerarse por separado la obesidad como factor de riesgo de hipertensión y diabetes, los costos atribuibles a esa enfermedad alcanzaron R$ 1.420 millones (IC 95%: de 0,98 a 1,87), o sea, 41% del total. Conclusiones. Las estimaciones de los costos atribuibles a las principales enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la alimentación inadecuada ponen de manifiesto la pesada carga económica de esas enfermedades para el SUS. Los datos muestran la necesidad de priorizar políticas integradas e intersectoriales para la prevención y el control de la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad, y permiten apoyar la defensa de intervenciones como medidas fiscales y regulatorias para alcanzar los objetivos del Decenio de las Naciones Unidas de Acción sobre la Nutrición.(AU)

HCV elimination plan leads to significant benefits in managing liver-related diseases and hospital interventions: a regional simulation.

OBJECTIVES: This article presents a 3-year budget impact simulation on the effects of a chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) eradication plan in real-life costs incurred by the Regional Health Service. METHODS: The Liguria Region network performed a prospective 3-year (2017-2019) timeframe horizon trends simulation analysis focusing on management interventions and costs. It involved all the eight prescribing centers in the region, starting from retrospective historical performance data and assuming the impact of sustained viral response rates for patients treated for HCV. Data on hospital admissions, medical visits, number of patients, and deaths were collected through the healthcare database. RESULTS: At the beginning of 2017, 2,940 patients were eligible for HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Assuming to treat this entire population with a success rate of 90%, the events related to liver complications in the horizon would decrease to 5,538 cumulatively (-35%), with a 27% reduction of direct costs, showing a global savings of 24,779.024 Euros. CONCLUSION: Treating the entire eligible HCV population would lead to significant benefits and savings in managing liver-related diseases and their direct costs, opening opportunities to re-think new settings for the future organization of liver disease management in the regional health system.

Perfill de pacientes con cáncer en un centro de oncología en Bogotá / Profile of Cancer Patients at an Oncology Center in Bogotá / Perfil de pacientes com câncer em um centro de oncologia em Bogotá

Introducción: La experiencia de vivir con un cáncer repercute significativamente en la vida, pues afecta todo el ser, lo que demanda de enfermería comprender las características del cuidado de las personas y de sus seres queridos para poderlo cuidar. Objetivo: Describir y comparar la caracterización para el cuidado de los pacientes con cáncer. Método: Estudio descriptivo comparativo realizado con 131 pacientes con cáncer atendidos en tres servicios oncológicos, determinando el perfil sociodemográfico, la carga percibida y la apropiación de las tecnologías para el cuidado. El análisis se realizó utilizando estadística descriptiva, la comparación con prueba chi cuadrado y de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: Predomina el género femenino, edad promedio de 54 años (DE: 17,4), baja dependencia y estado cognitivo intacto, baja escolaridad, falta de ocupación laboral, nivel socioeconómico bajo y alto nivel de apoyo familiar. La percepción de bienestar es positiva en el aspecto físico, social y espiritual, para la mayoría. La apropiación de las tecnologías es media. Excepto por algunas variaciones, los pacientes presentan condiciones comunes para el cuidado. Conclusión: Los pacientes perciben apoyo, en especial familiar, bienestar físico, social y espiritual, excepto psicológico, lo que permite planear un cuidado de enfermería que garantice mejor acceso, seguridad y continuidad.

Introduction: The experience of living with cancer impacts significantly the life as it affects the whole being. In the nursing practice all this demands to understand the care characteristics of people living with cancer and their beloved ones in order to be able to care them. Objective: To describe and compare the characterization of care for cancer patients. Method: This is a comparative descriptive study conducted using 131 cancer patients who received health care in three oncologic services; it is intended to determine the sociodemographic profile, the measured load and the appropriation of care technologies. The analysis was carried out by using descriptive statistics and comparisons based on chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Most of the patients were women with an average age of 54 years (SD: 17.4); they showed low drug-dependence, intact cognitive condition, and low schooling levels; many of them lacked a job and had a low socio-economic status but with strong family support. The well-being perception was positive regarding the physical, social, and spiritual aspects for most of the patients. There was a mean appropriation of technologies. Except for some variations, the patients show some conditions requiring a common care. Conclusion: Patients perceive support, especially from their families, with physical, social and spiritual wellbeing, but not psychological well-being. This allows to plan the nursing care so as to ensure a better access, safety and continuity.

Introdução: A experiência de conviver com cancro afeta significativamente a vida, pois magoa o ser tudo, e isso demanda da enfermagem compreender as carateristicas do cuidado das pessoas e seus seres queridos para puderem cuidá-los. Objetivo: Descrever e comparar a caracterização para o atendimento de pacientes com cancro. Método: Estudo descritivo comparativo realizado com 131 pacientes com cancro atendidos em três serviços oncológicos, determinando o perfil sociodemográfico, a sobrecarga percebida e a apropriação das tecnologias para o cuidado. A análise foi feita mediante estatística descritiva, a comparação com teste qui-quadrado e de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: Predomina o género feminino, idade média de 54 anos (SD: 17,4), baixa dependência e estado cognitivo intacto, baixa escolaridade, falta de ocupação laborai, baixas rendas e alto nível de apoio familiar. A percepção de bem-estar é positiva no aspecto físico, social e espiritual, para a maioria. A apropriação das tecnologias é média. Com exceção de algumas variações, os pacientes apresentam condições comuns para o cuidado. Conclusão: Os pacientes percebem apoio, em especial familiar, bem-estar físico, social e espiritual, exceto psicológico, o que permite planejar um cuidado de enfermagem garantindo melhor acesso, segurança e continuidade.

Socioeconomic Costs of Age-related Macular Degeneration in Korea

PURPOSE: To estimate the annual socioeconomic costs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: We estimated the costs of illness to society of AMD patients, including medical, nonmedical, and productivity costs. The medical costs included official and nonofficial medical costs, and the nonmedical costs consisted of transportation, time, and nursing costs. We used Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database, National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort, and Korea Health Panel study data in the analysis. RESULTS: The socioeconomic costs of AMD were estimated to be 694 billion Korean won (KRW) in 2016. This figure was divided into 501 billion KRW (72.1%) for medical costs, 61 billion KRW (8.8%) for nonmedical costs, and 133 billion KRW (19.1%) for productivity costs. The annual per capita socioeconomic cost of AMD was 1.32 million KRW. CONCLUSIONS: We determined the scale and composition of the socioeconomic costs of AMD. Importantly, the productivity costs accounted for approximately 20% of all costs, suggesting that AMD had a significant impact on productivity. Because the disease costs of AMD are expected to increase continuously with the aging population, effective planning at the governmental level for prevention and treatment of AMD should be considered to reduce socioeconomic costs.

Evaluation of a cancer patient navigation program ("Onkolotse") in terms of hospitalization rates, resource use and healthcare costs: rationale and design of a randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Concepts for the nursing and care of cancer patients through a "navigation service" have attracted much interest. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of their funding and coverage. The Saxon Cancer Society designed a prospective, randomized, multicenter, longitudinal study with a view to determining the positive effects of a cancer patient navigator program. The objective of this ongoing study is to evaluate the impact of the cancer patient navigation program on cancer patients and cost bearers in Germany. METHODS: The study population in this evaluation comprises cancer patients with gastric carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, colorectal cancer, melanoma or gynecological cancer who have been hospitalized at least once at one of the study centers as well as their relatives, outpatient and inpatient physicians, and cancer nurses. It is planned to randomize 340 cancer patients (stomach, colonic/rectal cancer, gynecological cancer, melanoma) at five centers to an intervention group (care by patient navigators based on standardized operating procedures) or a control group in a one-to-one ratio. The primary target parameter is the number of hospitalizations within the 12-month intervention period. The participants are asked to complete various questionnaires on patient-related outcomes at baseline and at 3 and 12 months (SF 36, HADS, PAM 13, and others). Data on drug therapy, utilization of health services, and medical expenses will also be analyzed. DISCUSSION: For the first time, the study will provide data on the effectiveness of a patient support program in cancer care in Germany from a randomized trial with a high level of evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been registered under DRKS00013199 in the German Clinical Trials Register.

Socioeconomic Costs of Glaucoma in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the socioeconomic costs of glaucoma in Korea. It is to be used as an academic reference regarding policy making for the introduction of glaucoma screening tests in the national health check-ups. METHODS: We estimated the socioeconomic costs of glaucoma from a societal perspective, which included medical, nonmedical, and productivity costs. The medical costs consisted of official and nonofficial medical costs, and the nonmedical costs consisted of transportation, time, and nursing costs. We used the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort 2002–2013 and the Korea Health Panel study. RESULTS: The socioeconomic costs of glaucoma were estimated to be 3,000 billion Korean won (KRW) in 2013. These total costs were divided into 1,539 billion KRW (51.3%) for medical costs, 1,292 billion KRW (43.1%) for nonmedical costs, and 168 billion KRW (5.6%) for productivity costs. CONCLUSIONS: Glaucoma is a large economic burden from a societal perspective. The nonmedical and productivity costs, as well as the medical costs are especially high. Because the disease costs of glaucoma are expected to increase continuously, political support for early detection of glaucoma should be considered.

Effects of Cognition, Function, and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms on Medicare Expenditures and Health Care Utilization for Persons With Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Clinical features of dementia (cognition, function, and behavioral/psychological symptoms [BPSD]) may differentially affect Medicare expenditures/health care utilization. METHODS: We linked cross-sectional data from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study to Medicare data to evaluate the association between dementia clinical features among those with dementia and Medicare expenditures/health care utilization (n = 234). Cognition was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Function was evaluated as the number of functional limitations (0-10). BPSD was evaluated as the number of symptoms (0-12). Expenditures were estimated with a generalized linear model (log-link and gamma distribution). Number of hospitalizations, institutional outpatient visits, and physician visits were estimated with a negative binomial regression. Medicare covered skilled nursing days were estimated with a zero-inflated negative binomial model. RESULTS: Cognition and BPSD were not associated with expenditures. Among individuals with less than seven functional limitations, one additional limitation was associated with $123 (95% confidence interval: $19-$227) additional monthly Medicare spending. Better cognition and poorer function were associated with more hospitalizations among those with an MMSE less than three and less than six functional limitations, respectively. BPSD had no effect on hospitalizations. Poorer function and fewer BPSD were associated with more skilled nursing among individuals with one to seven functional limitations and more than four symptoms, respectively. Cognition had no effect on skilled nursing care. No clinical feature was associated with institutional outpatient care. Of individuals with an MMSE less than 15, poorer cognition was associated with fewer physician visits. Among those with more than six functional limitations, poorer function was associated with fewer physician visits. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer function, not cognition or BPSD, was associated with higher Medicare expenditures.

Effects of cognition, function, and behavioral and psychological symptoms on out-of-pocket medical and nursing home expenditures and time spent caregiving for persons with dementia.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical features of dementia (cognition, function, and behavioral and psychological symptoms) may differentially affect out-of-pocket medical and nursing home (NH) expenditures and informal care received (outcomes). METHODS: We used cross-sectional data (Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study) to estimate probabilities of experiencing outcomes by clinical features. For those experiencing an outcome, we estimated effects of clinical features on the amount of the outcome. RESULTS: No clinical feature predicted the probability of having out-of-pocket medical expenditures. For those with medical expenditures, higher cognition and poorer function were associated with more spending. Poorer function predicted having out-of-pocket NH expenditures. For those with NH expenditures, no clinical feature predicted the amount. Poorer function and a greater number of behavioral and psychological symptoms predicted the probability of receiving caregiving. For those receiving care, poorer function was associated with more caregiving. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features differentially impact outcomes with poorer function associated with all types of costs and caregiving received.

Economic costs and burden of dengue disease in Cavite Province, Philippines / Custos econômicos e impacto da dengue na Província de Cavite, Filipinas

AIMS: To determine the economic costs and the burden of dengue disease in Cavite Province, one of the areas highly inflicted by dengue disease in the Philippines. METHODS: This study used Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) to calculate burden of dengue disease and quantified direct and indirect costs due to hospitalization and ambulatory dengue cases. DALYs were estimated using methods developed by the World Health Organization and the World Bank. We specifically calculated Years of Life Lost from 2009 to 2014 using patient-level data from hospitals and derived Years Lived with Disability from hospital records of dengue specific type (dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever) in Cavite Province. RESULTS: An annual cost of Philippine Peso (PHP) 99,147,173 which is equivalent to United States Dollar (USD) 2,300,000 was obtained. The average annual cost per dengue case was PHP 32,324 (USD 734). The 21-25 age sub-groups had the highest average annual direct cost which amounted to PHP 243,181 (USD 5,526), followed by the 45-54 age sub-groups which amounted to PHP 201,481 (USD 4,579). From 2009 to 2014, the annual burden of disease was estimated at 178,282 DALYs (equivalent to one DALY lost per 17 persons in Cavite Province). CONCLUSIONS: The estimates of costs and DALYs suggested substantial dengue disease burden and economic costs in Cavite Province, Philippines.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar os custos econômicos e o impacto da dengue na Província de Cavite, uma das áreas altamente infligidas por dengue nas Filipinas. MÉTODOS: Este estudo utilizou os anos de vida ajustados por incapacidade (Disability Adjusted Life Years - DALYs) para calcular o impacto da dengue e quantificar os custos diretos e indiretos devidos aos casos de dengue atendidos em hospital ou em ambulatório. Os DALYs foram estimados usando métodos desenvolvidos pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e pelo Banco Mundial. Calculamos especificamente os anos de vida perdidos entre 2009-2014, usando dados dos pacientes hospitalizados. Os anos vividos com incapacidade foram derivados de registros hospitalares sobre o tipo específico da dengue (dengue clássica / dengue hemorrágica) na Província de Cavite. RESULTADOS: Foi identificado um custo anual de 99.147.173 pesos das Filipinas (PHP), equivalentes a 2.300.000 dólares dos Estados Unidos (USD). O custo médio anual por caso de dengue foi 32.324 PHP (734 USD). O subgrupo etário 21-25 anos teve o maior custo direto anual, que atingiu 243.181 PHP (5.526 USD), seguido pelo subgrupo 45-54 anos, que atingiu 201.481 PHP (4.579 USD). De 2009 a 2014, o impacto anual da doença foi estimado em 178,282 DALYs (equivalentes a um DALY pedido por cada 17 pessoas na Província de Cavite). CONCLUSÕES: As estimativas de custos e os DALYs sugerem um alto impacto e substanciais custos econômicos da dengue na Província de Cavite, Filipinas.

Costs associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Italy: past, present, and future.

This literature review examines available evidence on the current and past costs associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Italy, together with the future health-economic prospects for the disease. Studies have been conducted to date on the prevalence, or the associated costs, of RA in Italy. Although future changes in the incidence of RA are a matter of debate, the impact of RA on health care costs is expected to grow in coming decades in line with projected increases in life expectancy and in the proportion of elderly people in Italy. It has been estimated that the indirect (productivity loss and informal care) and intangible (deterioration in health-related quality of life) costs of the disease will contribute to an increase in national health service expenditure, which will correspond to 1% of the total health care costs of the nation in the near future. The introduction of biological agents for the treatment of rheumatic diseases has resulted in an increase in the direct costs of RA; however, economic analyses that exclude indirect costs will underestimate the full economic impact of RA. The effectiveness of innovative therapies in preventing disease progression and functional impairment may, over time, attenuate the cost impact of RA in terms of hospitalizations and work absenteeism. Further research is needed to develop estimates of the economic impact of different therapeutic approaches in patients with RA in Italy, in order to provide tools that can drive the choice of the most cost-effective therapeutic option while maintaining high-quality care.

Patterns of treatment and costs of intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma management in four Italian centers.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe health condition associated with high hospitalizations and mortality rates, which also imposes a relevant economic burden. PURPOSE: The aim of the present survey is to investigate treatment strategies and related costs for HCC in the intermediate and advanced stages of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted in four Italian centers through structured interviews with physicians. Information regarding the stage of disease, treatments performed, and related health care resource consumption was included in the questionnaire. Direct health care cost per patient associated with the most relevant treatments such as sorafenib, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) was evaluated. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2014, 285 patients with HCC were treated in the four participating centers; of these, 80 were in intermediate stage HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification [BCLC] B), and 57 were in the advanced stage of the disease (BCLC C). In intermediate stage HCC, the most frequent first-line treatment was TACE (63%) followed by sorafenib (15%), radiofrequency ablation (14%), and TARE (1.3%). In the advanced stage of HCC, the most frequently used first-line therapy was sorafenib (56%), followed by best supportive care (21%), TACE (18%), and TARE (3.5%). The total costs of treatment per patient amounted to €12,214.54 with sorafenib, €13,418.49 with TACE, and €26,106.08 with TARE. Both in the intermediate and in the advanced stage of the disease, variability in treatment patterns among centers was observed. CONCLUSION: The present analysis raises for the first time the awareness of the overall costs incurred by the Italian National Healthcare System for different treatments used in intermediate and advanced HCC. Further investigations would be important to better understand the effective health care resource usage.

Dementia severity and the longitudinal costs of informal care in the Cache County population.

BACKGROUND: Dementia costs are critical for influencing healthcare policy, but limited longitudinal information exists. We examined longitudinal informal care costs of dementia in a population-based sample. METHODS: Data from the Cache County Study included dementia onset, duration, and severity assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Informal costs of daily care (COC) was estimated based on median Utah wages. Mixed models estimated the relationship between severity and longitudinal COC in separate models for MMSE and CDR. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-seven subjects (53% female, mean (standard deviation) age was 82.3 (5.9) years) participated. Overall COC increased by 18% per year. COC was 6% lower per MMSE-point increase and compared with very mild dementia, COC increased over twofold for mild, fivefold for moderate, and sixfold for severe dementia on the CDR. CONCLUSIONS: Greater dementia severity predicted higher costs. Disease management strategies addressing dementia progression may curb costs.

Costo monetario del tratamiento de la enfermedad deAlzheimer en Colombia / Monetary cost of treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in Colombia

Las demencias y, en particular la enfermedad de Alzheimer, representan una carga financieraimportante para los sistemas de salud; sin embargo, los estudios de costo de la enfermedad en países en desarrolloson poco frecuentes.Objetivo: estimar el costo social potencial directo e indirecto de la enfermedad de Alzheimer por estados deseveridad en Colombia para el periodo 2010-2020.Materialers y métodos: se tómo el número de personas con la enfermedad de un trabajo preliminar queusó datos secundarios y un método de proyección de la población. Se asumió una duración promedio deltratamiento de la enfermedad de 8 años, 3 en estado leve, 3 en moderado y 2 en severo. La canasta de bienesy servicios asociados al tratamiento y cuidado de los pacientes se construyó para cada estado con base enhistorias clínicas, consulta con expertos y otras fuentes para estimar los precios unitarios. Las estimacionesse realizaron incluyendo y excluyendo el valor imputado del cuidado informal, valorado por el método delcosto de salarios dejados de percibir. Resultados: el costo mínimo directo promedio por paciente/año por estado de severidad estimado es: $1.5millones (leve), $4 millones (moderado) y $8.5 millones (severo).Conclusiones: las estimaciones de costo presentadas muestran que la enfermedad de Alzheimer tendrá uncosto alto para la sociedad colombiana en la medida que aumente el acceso al tratamiento. Los métodos queincorporan los requerimientos de cuidado según estados de la enfermedad son más apropiados y permitieronidentificar que las estimaciones de modelos internacionales que usan relaciones constantes de costo a PIB porpersona tienden a subestimar el costo monetario. Estimar los costos de enfermedades crónicas es clave parapara el planeamiento fiscal de políticas de salud...

Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, represents an important financial burden uponhealth systems; however cost-of-illness studies are not frequent in developing countries.Objective: to estimate the potential direct and indirect social cost for Alzheimer’s disease, by stages of severityin Colombia for the period 2010-2020.Materials and methods: the prevalence of the disease is taken from previous work that used secondary dataand a method of population projection. We assumed average treatment duration of the disease of 8 years,3 in mild condition, 3 in moderate and 2 in severe. The basket of benefits and services associated with thetreatment and care of patients was built for each stage based on medical records, consultation with expertsand other sources to estimate unitary prices. Estimates were performed including and excluding the imputedvalue of informal care, valued by the cost method of salaries not perceived. Finally, the aggregated cost wasadjusted by the cost of use of services, utilizing information reported in the provision module of the nationalinformation system on social protection (Ministry of Health).Results: the potential direct cost per stage of severity per patient...

Incidence, prevalence, costs, and impact on disability of common conditions requiring rehabilitation in the United States: stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, limb loss, and back pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative incidence, prevalence, costs, and impact on disability of 8 common conditions treated by rehabilitation professionals. DATA SOURCES: Comprehensive bibliographic searches using MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and UpToDate, (June, 2013). DATA EXTRACTION: Two review authors independently screened the search results and performed data extraction. Eighty-two articles were identified that had relevant data on the following conditions: Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Limb Loss, and Back Pain. DATA SYNTHESIS: Back pain and arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis) are the most common and costly conditions we analyzed, affecting more than 100 million individuals and costing greater than $200 billion per year. Traumatic brain injury, while less common than arthritis and back pain, carries enormous per capita direct and indirect costs, mostly because of the young age of those involved and the severe disability that it may cause. Finally, stroke, which is often listed as the most common cause of disability, is likely second to both arthritis and back pain in its impact on functional limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Of the common rehabilitation diagnoses we studied, musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain and arthritis likely have the most impact on the health care system because of their high prevalence and impact on disability.

Dengue Epidemiology and Burden of Disease in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue virus infection is the most common arthropod-borne disease worldwide with approximately 50 to 100 million cases of dengue infection occurring annually. Globally, dengue incidence has increased in the last 40 years, especially in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries where the highest incidence is found. This systematic review aimed to present information on dengue disease burden and use of health resources in the LAC region in the last 15 years. METHODS: We searched the main international and regional databases and generic and academic Internet search engines. Gray literature was retrieved mainly from regional health ministries and Pan American Health Organization. A set of inclusion criteria was defined. RESULTS: We identified 2,041 articles of which 25 met these criteria, 13 for incidence and 12 for the use of resources and related costs. The pooled incidence of classic dengue fever was 72.1 cases per 100,000 persons-years in the 44 LAC countries analyzed (95% confidence interval 71.5-72.7), with an upward trend from 1995 up to 2010. Case-fatality ratio was highest in 1997 (0.12 [0.05-0.22]) and lowest in 2009, and the overall mortality was 0.02 per 100,000 people. More than 60% of the cases in the LAC region came from Brazil. The length of hospital stay ranged from 5 to 13 days. CONCLUSIONS: Activities to control dengue transmission in the region have been important but insufficient. The surveillance of dengue burden of disease and circulating strains help shape and evaluate the present and future health policies.