Abstract
ObjectivesTo estimate productivity loss and associated indirect costs in high-risk patients treated for hyperlipidemia who experience cardiovascular (CV) events.MethodsRetrospective population-based cohort study conducted using Swedish medical records linked to national registers. Patients were included based on prescriptions of lipid-lowering therapy between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2011 and followed until 31 December 2012 for identification of CV events and estimation of work productivity loss (sick leave and disability pension) and indirect costs. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on CV risk level: history of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent. Propensity score matching was applied to compare patients with new events (cases) to patients without new events (controls). The incremental effect of CV events was estimated using a difference-in-differences design, comparing productivity loss among cases and controls during the year before and the year after the cases’ event.ResultsThe incremental effect on indirect costs was largest in the CHD risk equivalent cohort (n = 2946) at €3119 (P value <0.01). The corresponding figure in the major CVD history cohort (n = 4508) was €2210 (P value <0.01). There was substantial variation in productivity loss depending on the type of event. Transient ischemic attack and revascularization had no significant effect on indirect costs. Myocardial infarction (€3465), unstable angina (€2733) and, most notably, ischemic stroke (€6784) yielded substantial incremental cost estimates (P values <0.01).ConclusionsIndirect costs related to work productivity losses of CV events are substantial in Swedish high-risk patients treated for hyperlipidemia and vary considerably by type of event.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the usual underlying pathology of atherosclerosis, is a major cause of premature death worldwide, and a substantial source of disability [1]
Indirect costs related to work productivity losses of CV events are substantial in Swedish high-risk patients treated for hyperlipidemia and vary considerably by type of event
The objective of this study was to estimate productivity loss and indirect costs associated with CV events in highrisk hyperlipidemia patients in Sweden
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the usual underlying pathology of atherosclerosis, is a major cause of premature death worldwide, and a substantial source of disability [1]. CHD has been estimated to be the leading cause of disability in Europe, accounting for approximately 10 % of total disability-adjusted life years [2]. Indirect costs due to lost productivity account for an important part of the total costs of CVD [1]. In Europe, indirect costs associated with productivity losses have been found to correspond to 21 % of the total costs of CVD [8]. The American Heart Association have estimated that indirect costs accounted for 36 % of the total 1-year costs of CVD in the US in 2006 [9], and that CVD-related indirect costs were US $172 billion in 2010 [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
