PCV70 - The Direct Cost Components in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HF-PEF) in Turkey: The Results of A Delphi Panel

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze the health-related direct cost components in HF-pEF in Turkey. A two-round Delphi process to get the opinions of local experts (eleven cardiologists who were experienced in HF), was performed. A questionnaire with items to collect the opinions of the panelists on all cost components, including medications, surgical treatment, hospitalization and out-patient follow-up procedures were developed under supervision of one of the experts (ZÖ). Then experts responded to this questionnaire independently via e-mail at first round. At the second round, they met around a table, discussed about all items in detail and revised their responses, when necessary. End-of-2015 local prices released by Ministry of Health and Social Security Institution in Turkey were used as references. End of 2015 Euro/TL currency rate (3.065 TL/Euro) was used. 20.1% of HF-pEF patients are hospitalized directly at internal medicine ward with a rate of 0.33 hospital stays per patient-year for an average length-of-stay of 2.31 days per year. Estimated total annual costs of HF-pEF is calculated as 245 Euro. Main cost driver is the cost of medications (110 Euro/year; 45% of the total). When cost items related with hospitalization were examined, the annual cost of hospital stay is calculated as 47 Euro. The cost of a single hospital stay is 29 Euro and the cost of a single day of hospital stay is 22 Euro. This total direct costs of HF-pEF is reasonable. The major reason of this finding is the low rate of hospitalization, short duration of stay and low daily cost of hospitalization. In order to maintain this budget-friendly position of HF-pEF, controlling the disease under appropriate medical treatment is suggested.