Difference In Direct Medical Costs Research Articles

Awake Craniotomy Program Implementation

Implementing multidisciplinary teams for treatment of complex brain tumors needing awake craniotomies is associated with significant costs. To date, there is a paucity of analysis on the cost utility of introducing advanced multidisciplinary standardized teams to enable awake craniotomies. To assess the cost utility of introducing a standardized program of awake craniotomies. A retrospective economic evaluation was conducted at Mayo Clinic Florida. All patients with single, unilateral lesions who underwent elective awake craniotomies between January 2016 and December 2021 were considered eligible for inclusion. The economic perspective of the health care institution and a time horizon of 1 year were considered. Data were analyzed from October 2022 to May 2023. Treatment with an awake craniotomy before standardization (2016-2018) compared with treatment with awake craniotomy after standardization (2018-2021). Patient demographics, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes, including length of stay, intensive care (ICU) admission, extent of resection, readmission rates, and 1-year mortality were compared between patients undergoing surgery before and after standardization. Direct medical costs were estimated from Medicare reimbursement rates for all billed procedures. A cost-utility analysis was performed considering differences in direct medical costs and in 1-year mortality within the periods before and after standardization of procedures. Uncertainty was explored in probability sensitivity analysis. A total of 164 patients (mean [SD] age, 49.9 [15.7] years; 98 [60%] male patients) were included in the study. Of those, 56 underwent surgery before and 108 after implementation of procedure standardization. Procedure standardization was associated with reductions in length of stay from a mean (SD) of 3.34 (1.79) to 2.46 (1.61) days (difference, 0.88 days; 95% CI, 0.33-1.42 days; P = .002), length of stay in ICU from a mean (SD) of 1.32 (0.69) to 0.99 (0.90) nights (difference, 0.33 nights; 95% CI, 0.06-0.60 nights; P = .02), 30-day readmission rate from 14% (8 patients) in the prestandardization cohort to 5% (5 patients) (difference, 9%; 95% CI, 19.6%-0.3%; P = .03), while extent of resection and intraoperative complication rates were similar between both cohorts. The standardized protocol was associated with mean (SD) savings of $7088.80 ($12 389.50) and decreases in 1-year mortality (dominant intervention). This protocol was found to be cost saving in 75.5% of all simulations in probability sensitivity analysis. In this economic evaluation of standardization of awake craniotomy, there was a generalized reduction in length of stay, ICU admission time, and direct medical costs with implementation of an optimized protocol. This was achieved without compromising patient outcomes and with similar extent of resection, complication rates, and reduced readmission rates.

Direct cost analysis of genetic testing for CYP2C19*2 and *3 loss of function variants in percutaneous coronary intervention patients

Abstract Background/Introduction Patients with CYP2C19*2 or *3 loss of function (LOF) variants who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have an increased risk of ischemic events when treated with clopidogrel. Purpose A subgroup of patients who were included in the TAILOR-PCI trial were also enrolled in this study to determine if a genotype-guided (GG) approach based on CYP2C19*2 or *3 LOF variants is cost-effective. Methods Patients were randomized to the conventional therapy group with clopidogrel and to the GG group who underwent point of care genotype testing for CYP2C19*2 or *3 LOF variants. In the GG group, therapy was based on genotype results. Those identified as LOF carriers were prescribed ticagrelor while non-carriers were prescribed clopidogrel. Results There were no significant differences in direct medical costs between the conventional therapy group and GG group (mean $19,747 versus $20,682, p=0.11), however total costs were significantly greater in the GG group which was primarily driven by the outpatient cost of ticagrelor. Furthermore, there was no significant cost difference between ticagrelor treated LOF carriers and clopidogrel treated non-carriers. Conclusion These findings suggest that a GG approach with point of care testing for CYP2C19*2 or *3 LOF variants in patients undergoing PCI may be a cost-effective practice. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): NIH grants

Direct Medical Costs and Healthcare Resource Utilization of Treating Patients With Two Clinical Subtypes of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Colombia

ObjectivesThis study aimed to calculate the healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs in patients with 2 subtypes of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in a rheumatic care center in Colombia. MethodsThis is a retrospective cost-of-illness study. Patients with at least 1 medical consultation associated with an axSpA diagnosis between October 2018 and October 2019 were identified. Patients were classified as having radiographic (r-axSpA) or nonradiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). Direct medical costs were calculated in Colombian pesos and expressed in American dollars using an exchange rate of 3263 Colombian pesos = 1 US dollar ($). Predictors of total direct costs were identified using a generalized linear model with gamma distribution and log-link. ResultsA total of 162 patients with a mean age of 49.6 years (± 13.7) were included in the study. Among these, 147 (90.7%) were considered as having r-axSpA and 15 (9.3%) nr-axSpA, with mean costs of $6600 (± 6203) and $843 (± 1135), respectively (P < .001). The total direct mean cost was calculated at $6067 (± 6144) per patient. Medication costs were the main driver of total costs (97.6%, $5921), with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs accounting for nearly 92.0% ($5582) of these costs. Rheumatologist (100%) and physiatrist (64.2%) visits were the most frequently used medical service. ConclusionsThe economic burden associated with axSpA in the Colombian setting is substantial. There is a significant difference in direct medical costs between the r-axSpA and the nr-axSpA. Health policies aimed at the comprehensive management of nr-axSpA would have an important role in the reduction of the associated direct medical costs.

Budget Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Intravenous Meloxicam to Treat Moderate-Severe Postoperative Pain.

This study assesses the budget impact and cost-effectiveness of intravenous meloxicam (MIV) to treat moderate-severe acute postoperative pain in adults. A two-part Markov cohort model captured the pharmacoeconomic impact of MIV versus non-opioid intravenous analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketorolac) among a hypothetical adult cohort undergoing selected inpatient procedures and experiencing moderate-severe acute postoperative pain: Part1 (postoperative hour0 to discharge, cycled hourly), health states were defined by pain level. Pain transition rates, adverse event probabilities, and concomitant opioid utilization were derived from a network meta-analysis. Part2 (discharge to week52, cycled weekly), health states were defined by the presence/absence of pain-related readmission and opioid use disorder as determined by literature-based inputs relating to pain control outcomes. Healthcare utilization and direct medical costs were derived from an administrative claims database analysis. Primary outcomes were the incremental cost per member per month (PMPM) and cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Scenario, univariate, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. The model assumed a private payer perspective in the USA (no discounting, 2019 US$). Modeled outcomes indicated MIV was associated with lower accumulated postoperative pain, fewer adverse events, and less opioid utilization for most procedures and comparators, with longer-term outcomes also generally favoring MIV. The budget impact of MIV was - $0.028PMPM. From a cost-effectiveness perspective, MIV had lower costs and better outcomes for all comparisons except against ketorolac in orthopedic procedures where the former was cost-effective but not cost saving ($95,925/QALY). Scenario and sensitivity analyses indicated that modeled outcomes were robust to alternative inputs and underlying input uncertainty. Differences in direct medical costs were driven by reduced costs attributable to length of stay and opioid-related adverse drug events. MIV was associated with modeled clinical and economic benefits compared to commonly used non-opioid intravenous analgesics.

Direct medical costs of robotic sleeve gastrectomy compared to laparoscopic approach in a single academic center.

The use of the robotic platform in bariatric surgery remains controversial because of lack of level I evidence to support its superiority compared to the laparoscopic approach and because of cost concerns. Recently, an extended use program (EUP) for robotic instruments was also introduced at our institution to help reduce the associated direct medical costs of robotic surgery. To evaluate the direct medical costs of a robotic sleeve gastrectomy (R-SG) and compare it to a standard laparoscopic approach (L-SG). Academic, tertiary care center. The analysis included the last 50 R-SG performed at our institution between June 1st 2019 and October 31st 2020. Those cases were compared to the L-SG cases (29 cases) performed in the same time period. All revisions or conversions were then excluded which resulted in a total of 74 primary SG (R-SG = 45 and L-SG = 29). Direct medical costs included operating room cost, instrument cost, miscellaneous cost, and cost of hospital stay. Direct cost data was generated using the StrataJazz reporting module, which is fed daily from EPIC, our electronic health record system. Patients who underwent a primary SG or a primary SG with a concomitant Paraesophageal Hernia Repair (PEH) were analyzed separately using Mann-Whitney rank sum tests and Student's t tests. An additional analysis and subanalysis of the groups was also performed after applying the potential savings of the Extended Use Program (EUP). Overall, the direct medical cost of R-SG was comparable to L-SG ($6330.77 vs $6804.12 respectively, p = 0.07). The direct medical cost of patients undergoing SG alone without PEH was significantly lower in the R-group compared to the L-group ($5927.08 vs $6508.01, respectively, p = 0.04). When applying the EUP savings to our data, the predicted direct medical cost of R-SG becomes significantly lower than L-SG ($6145.77 vs $6804.12 respectively, p = 0.01). At our academic medical center, we found no difference in direct medical costs between R-SG and L-SG. With the application of the EUP, direct medical costs of R-SG can be significantly lowered compared to L-SG. It is important to consider that cost data are largely dependent upon the academic medical center of interest, and surgeons need to collect their own cost data to evaluate whether robotic surgery is feasible at their institution.

Comparative Interrupted Time Series Analysis of Long-term Direct Medical Costs in Patients With Hip Fractures and a Matched Cohort: A Large-database Study.

Comparative Interrupted Time Series Analysis of Long-term Direct Medical Costs in Patients With Hip Fractures and a Matched Cohort: A Large-database Study.

Health care costs of hospitalization of young children for respiratory syncytial virus infections: a population-based matched cohort study.

Background:Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection poses a substantial clinical burden among infants and young children. We sought to determine the health care costs of hospitalizations attributable to RSV in Ontario, Canada, from the health care payer perspective.Methods:For this population-based matched cohort study, we identified children younger than 24 months who were or were not hospitalized with RSV infections in 2006–2016. We performed a cost-of-illness analysis using linked administrative health data, with subjects stratified by gestational age and congenital heart disease, and propensity score–matched on established risk factors. The primary outcome was attributable health care costs per patient, reflecting the difference in direct medical costs between the groups, calculated to 12 months postdischarge in 2020 Canadian dollars.Results:We identified 14 608 RSV-infected children, matched to 72 040 controls. The adjusted attributable cost of hospitalized RSV was $134 931 900 over 10 years, or $9240 per patient (95% confidence interval [CI] $8790–$9690). Health care costs escalated 3 days before hospitalization, and persisted up to 12 months after discharge. Increased costs were associated with major comorbidities, but not extreme premature birth. The highest mean attributable cost per patient was in the presence of hemodynamically significant heart disease ($60 110, 95% CI $26 700–$93 060). Infants born at 36–43 weeks’ gestation constituted the greatest overall cost burden at $117 886 720.Interpretation:Although the greatest direct medical costs per patient hospitalized with RSV infection are among children with cardiac disease, the greatest overall cost burden is from children born at or near term, who are not targeted by current prophylaxis strategies. The substantial attributable health care costs of RSV can inform cost-effectiveness analyses of novel RSV vaccines and prioritization of health care resources.

Comparison of laparoscopic surgery versus traditional laparotomy for the treatment of emergency patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic gastrointestinal emergency surgery and postoperative complications.MethodsData for 604 patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal surgery between January 2013 and December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment efficacy and postoperative complications were compared between 300 patients (control group) undergoing traditional laparotomy and 304 patients (observation group) undergoing laparoscopic surgery.ResultsClinical features were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group, including duration of surgery (59.12 ± 10.31 minutes vs. 70.34 ± 12.83 minutes), intraoperative blood loss (41.21 ± 10.45 mL vs. 61.38 ± 9.97 mL), postoperative pain score (1.25 ± 0.25 points. vs. 5.13 ± 0.43 points), length of hospital stay (5.13 ± 0.24 days vs. 7.05 ± 0.13 days), and time to free activity (13 ± 2.96 hours vs. 22 ± 3.02 hours). The total complication incidence in the observation group was 3.9%, compared with 16% in the control group (16%). No significant differences in direct medical costs were recorded between the observation and control groups.ConclusionsFor patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal surgery, laparoscopic surgery resulted in better clinical outcomes than traditional laparotomy without incurring additional costs. The potential clinical benefits of emergency laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery warrant further study.

Медико-экономический анализ последствий расширения программы лекарственного обеспечения больных хронической обструктивной болезнью легких в Российской Федерации

Purpose of the study. Healthcare budget impact analysis in the Russian Federation of providing adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with basic therapy for outpatient treatment. Material and methods. The hypothesis of reducing costs for the treatment of exacerbations of COPD was tested while providing all patients with basic therapy on an outpatient basis. The model calculates the direct medical costs of drug provision and treatment of exacerbations in patients with COPD in the current situation and when all patients with COPD are covered with basic therapy as part of a program of preferential drug provision. The simulation period is 1 year. The analysis does not take into account social losses associated with disability, payment of disability certificates, reduced labor productivity and mortality. Results. The cost of providing all patients with COPD with the recommended basic drug therapy on an outpatient basis is substantially offset by a decrease in the cost of treating exacerbations: drug costs should increase by 14.1 billion rubles compared with the current situation, while the cost of providing medical care to patients with exacerbations is reduced by 9.7 billion rubles. As a result, the difference in direct medical costs, or the necessary additional investments, is 4.4 billion rubles. The price of drugs used for basic therapy has the greatest impact on the size of the required additional investments. Conclusion. Providing all patients with COPD with the recommended basic drug therapy on an outpatient basis, we can expect a decrease in the number of moderate exacerbations per year by 14.7% and severe exacerbations by 31.2%. Taking into account not only medical, but also socio-economic costs can not only offset additional investments, but also demonstrate significant savings. When implementing a pilot project of preferential drug provision for patients with COPD in a specific region of the Russian Federation, it is possible to reduce the cost of purchasing medicines when forming a municipal order.

Economic Burden Attributed to Children Presenting to Hospitals With Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Vietnam.

BackgroundHand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has become a major public health concern in the Asia-Pacific region. Knowledge of its economic burden is essential for policy makers in prioritizing the development and implementation of interventions.MethodsA multi-hospital-based study was prospectively conducted at 3 major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, during 2016–2017. Data on direct and productivity costs were collected alongside clinical information and samples and demographic information from study participants.ResultsA total of 466 patients were enrolled. Two hundred three of 466 (43.6%) patients lived in Ho Chi Minh City, and 72/466 (15.5%) had severe HFMD. An enterovirus was identified in 74% of 466 patients, with EV-A71, CV-A6, CV-A10, and CV-A16 being the most common viruses identified (236/466, 50.6%). The mean economic burden per case was estimated at US$400.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], $353.80–$448.90), of which the total direct (medical) costs accounted for 69.7%. There were considerable differences in direct medical costs between groups of patients with different clinical severities and pathogens (ie, EV-A71 vs non-EV-A71). In Vietnam, during 2016–2017, the economic burden posed by HFMD was US$90 761 749 (95% CI, $79 033 973–$103 009 756).ConclusionsOur findings are of public health significance because for the first time we demonstrate that HFMD causes a substantial economic burden in Vietnam, and although multivalent vaccines are required to control HFMD, effective EV-A71 vaccine could substantially reduce the burden posed by severe HFMD. The results will be helpful for health policy makers in prioritizing resources for the development and implementation of intervention strategies to reduce the burden of HFMD.

Distinct subgroups of emergency department frequent users: A latent class analysis

BackgroundEmergency department (ED) frequent users have high resource utilization and associated costs. Many interventions have been designed to reduce utilization, but few have proved effective. This may be because this group is more heterogeneous than initially assumed, limiting the effectiveness of targeted interventions. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe distinct subgroups of ED frequent users and to estimate costs to provide hospital-based care to each group. MethodsLatent class analysis was used to identify homogeneous subgroups of ED frequent users. ED frequent users (n = 5731) from a single urban tertiary hospital-based ED and level 1 trauma center in 2014 were included. Descriptive statistics (counts and percentages) are described to characterize subgroups. A cost analysis was performed to examine differences in direct medical costs between subgroups from the healthcare provider perspective. ResultsFour subgroups were identified and characterized: Short-term ED Frequent Users, Heart-related ED Frequent Users, Long-term ED Frequent Users, and Minor Care ED Frequent Users. The Heart-related group had the largest per person costs and the Long-term group had the largest total group costs. ConclusionDistinct subgroups of ED frequent users were identified and described using a statistically objective method. This taxonomy of ED frequent users allows healthcare organizations to tailor interventions to specific subgroups of ED frequent users who can be targeted with tailored interventions. Cost data suggest intervention for long-term ED frequent users offers the greatest cost-avoidance benefit from a hospital perspective.

Analisis Biaya Penyakit Diabetes Melitus Sebagai Pertimbangan Perencanaan Pembiayaan Kesehatan

Disease cost analysis is an important element in the decision making process of chronic disease, because it can evaluate the cost of illness and illustrate diseases that require an increase in resources for the prevention or therapy. This study aims to determine the total cost of diabetes mellitus (DM), so it can be used as a health fund planning considerations related to the effectiveness and efficiency of medication costs for patients in Yogyakarta Regional Public Hospital. The method used is observational prevalence. The data were obtained retrospectively with patients primary diagnosed and secondary diagnosed of diabetes mellitus with or without complications in the period January to June 2014 in Yogyakarta Regional Public Hospital. The Financial perspective used is the hospitals perspective as health care providers to take into account the direct medical costs by using a bottom-up approach. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney Whitney to determine differences in the direct medical costs of outpatient diabetic patients in terms of age, the number and type of diabetes complications, as well as to determine the direct medical cost differences hospitalized diabetic patients in terms of age, the number of complications, type of diabetes, duration of hospitalization and inpatient classes.The results of the research showed that the patients who entered the inclusion criteria as much as 1.689 episodes of visits, which consisted of 1.531 episodes of outpatients visits and 158 episodes of inpatients visits. The total cost of DM based on hospital perspective Rp1.203.799.389,00 IDR within six months. There is a significant difference in direct medical costs in outpatients in terms of the number of factors of complications (p=0.004) and a significant differences direct medical costs inpatients in terms of the number of factors of complications, length of stay and inpatient class in hospitalization (p=0.000).

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Elbasvir and Grazoprevir for Treatment of Adult Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C (genotype 1b) from Russian Healthcare System Perspective

Objective. Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of elbasvir in combination with grazoprevir (EBR/GZR) for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), infected with genotype 1 subtype b, who previously did not receive antiviral therapy (AVT), without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, from a Russian healthcare system perspective. Methods. In a model, developed in MS Office (Microsoft Excel® package), the differences in direct medical costs were determined (using cost minimization analysis) by comparing EBR/GZR and 3D (the combination of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, and dasabuvir), which have comparable effectiveness in patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1b). Besides, changes in costs for the treatment of patients with CHC (genotype 1b), if EBR/GZR are reimbursed, are analysed under the State-guaranteed benefit package (SGBP) for free medical care for the citizens of the Russian Federation (budget impact analysis). Frequencies of long-term consequences of CHC (number of cases of decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) were projected in the long run depending on whether AVT is administered or not, for 20 years or lifetime time horizon. For calculations, data from literature and standard financial expenditures in Russian healthcare system in 2018 were used. Univariate (one-way) sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact in the price change of EBR/GZR package on the results of the analysis. Results. Average cost per patient for therapy with EBR/GZR was 510 142 rubles, or 21% less than for therapy with 3D that was 645 614 rubles. If EBR/GZR are included in Vital and Essential Drugs List (VED), expenditures under SGBP for treatment of CHC (genotype 1b) are expected to decrease by 16,1% in three years: by 9,4% in the first year, 15,7% in the second year and by 21% in the third year. Conclusions: Using EBR/GZR in clinical practice is efficient and leads to an improvement in the competitiveness in the field. It also allows reducing the additional healthcare system expenditures on direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAA) in AVT of CHC, and provides highly-effective therapeutic regimes under SGBP for patients without increasing the budget. Greater accessibility of DAAA (EBR/GZR and 3D) within the Russian healthcare system and increased availability of these drugs for the patients will lead to a significant decrease in incidence of such severe and costly consequences of hepatitis as decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with no treatment in the long run.

A cost analysis of intensified vs conventional multifactorial therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a post hoc analysis of the Steno-2 study

Aims/hypothesisLong-term follow-up of the Steno-2 study demonstrated that intensified multifactorial intervention increased median lifespan by 7.9 years and delayed incident cardiovascular disease by a median of 8.1 years compared with conventional multifactorial intervention during 21.2 years of follow-up. In this post hoc analysis of data from the Steno-2 study, we aimed to study the difference in direct medical costs associated with conventional vs intensified treatment.MethodsIn 1993, 160 Danish individuals with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria were randomised to conventional or intensified multifactorial target-driven intervention for 7.8 years. Information on direct healthcare costs was retrieved from health registries, and the costs in the two groups of participants were compared by bootstrap t test analysis.ResultsOver 21.2 years of follow-up, there was no difference in total direct medical costs between the intensified treatment group, €12,126,900, and the conventional treatment group, €11,181,700 (p = 0.48). The mean cost per person-year during 1996–2014 was significantly lower in the intensified treatment group (€8725 in the intensive group and €10,091 in the conventional group, p = 0.045). The main driver of this difference was reduced costs associated with inpatient admissions related to cardiovascular disease (p = 0.0024).Conclusions/interpretationOver a follow-up period of 21.2 years, we found no difference in total costs and reduced cost per person-year associated with intensified multifactorial treatment for 7.8 years compared with conventional multifactorial treatment. Considering the substantial gain in life-years and health benefits achieved with intensified treatment, we conclude that intensified multifaceted intervention in high-risk individuals with type 2 diabetes seems to be highly feasible when balancing healthcare costs and treatment benefits in a Danish healthcare setting.

Клинико-экономическая эффективность проведения эндоваскулярного лечения коронарных артерий у пациентов со стабильной ишемической болезнью сердца при госпитализации на «одну ночь»

To evaluate cost effectiveness of coronary endovascular treatment in patients with stable IHD during "one-night" hospitalization. Using the cost-minimization analysis direct medical cost of coronary endovascular treatment in patients with stable IHD during the "one-night" hospitalization was compared with the "classic" hospitalization. The most cost-effective strategy for hospitalization of patients for transcutaneous coronary intervention (TCI) with stenting was the "one-night" hospitalization. Differences in direct medical costs (DMC) were statistically significant (p=0.01) in favor of the patient group hospitalized for one night. The "one-night" hospitalization plan for patients with stable IHD to undergo TCI with stenting increases the cost-effectiveness due to the decreased number of days of stay in the hospital and the associated decrease in cost of in-patient maintenance, which resultes in considerable financial savings (Δ between the hospitalization plans was 21.2 % in favor of the "one-might" hospitalization). This Δ indicates high cost effectiveness of the selected approach.

Excess economic burden of comorbidities in COPD: a 15-year population-based study.

A better understanding of the true burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) needs to consider the implications of comorbidities. This study comprehensively examined the impact of comorbidities on excess direct medical costs in COPD patients.From health administrative data in British Columbia, Canada (1996-2012), we created a propensity-score-matched cohort of incident COPD patients and individuals without COPD. Health services use records were compiled into 16 major disease categories based on International Classification of Diseases codes. Excess costs (in 2015 Canadian dollars and converted to 2015 Euros; CAD1.000=EUR 0.706) were estimated as the adjusted difference in direct medical costs between the two groups.The sample included 128 424 subjects in each group. COPD patients generated excess costs of CAD5196/EUR3668 per person-year (95% CI CAD3540-8529), of which 26% was attributable to COPD itself and 51% was attributable to comorbidities (the remaining 23% could not be attributed to any specific condition). The major cost driver was excess hospitalisation costs. The largest components of comorbidity costs were circulatory diseases, other respiratory disorders, digestive disorders and psychological disorders (CAD696/EUR491, CAD312/EUR220, CAD274/EUR193 and CAD249/EUR176 per person-year, respectively).These findings suggest that the prevention and appropriate management of comorbidities in COPD patients may effectively reduce the overall burden of COPD.

Excess medical costs in patients with asthma and the role of comorbidity

Asthmatic patients frequently have comorbidities, but the role of comorbidities in the economic burden of asthma is unclear. We examined the excess direct medical costs, including asthma- and comorbidity-related costs, in patients with asthma.We created a propensity score-matched cohort of patients newly diagnosed with asthma and non-asthmatic comparison subjects, both aged 5-55 years, from health administrative data (1997-2012) in British Columbia, Canada. Health services use records were categorised into 16 major disease categories based on International Classification of Diseases codes. Excess costs (in 2013 Canadian dollars ($)) were estimated as the adjusted difference in direct medical costs between the two groups.Average overall excess costs were estimated at $1058/person-year (95% CI 1006-1110), of which $134 (95% CI 132-136) was attributable to asthma and $689 (95% CI 649-730) to major comorbidity classes. Psychiatric disorders were the largest component of excess comorbidity costs, followed by digestive disorders, diseases of the nervous system, and respiratory diseases other than asthma. Comorbidity-attributable excess costs greatly increased with age but did not increase over the time course of asthma.These findings suggest that both asthma and comorbidity-related outcomes should be considered in formulating evidence-based policies and guidelines for asthma management.

Cost-effectiveness of a disease-specific oral nutritional support for pressure ulcer healing

The Oligo Element Sore Trial has shown that supplementation with a disease-specific nutritional formula enriched with arginine, zinc, and antioxidants improves pressure ulcer (PU) healing in malnourished patients compared to an isocaloric-isonitrogenous support. However, the use of such a nutritional formula needs to be supported also by a cost-effectiveness evaluation. This economic evaluation - from a local healthcare system perspective - was conducted alongside a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial following a piggy-back approach. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of change in PU area at 8 weeks. The cost analysis focused on: the difference in direct medical costs of local PU care between groups and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of nutritional therapy related to significant study endpoints (percentage of change in PU area and ≥40% reduction in PU area at 8 weeks). Although the experimental formula was more expensive (mean difference: 39.4 Euros; P<0.001), its use resulted in money saving with respect to both non-nutritional PU care activities (difference,-113.7 Euros; P=0.001) and costs of local PU care (difference,-74.3 Euros; P=0.013). Therefore, given its efficacy it proved to be a cost-effective intervention. The robustness of these results was confirmed by the sensitivity analyses. The use of a disease-specific oral nutritional formula not only results in better healing of PUs, but also reduces the costs of local PU care from a local healthcare system perspective.

Gemcitabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin vs cytarabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin for relapsed or refractory aggressive-histology lymphoma: cost-utility analysis of NCIC CTG LY.12.

The NCIC CTG LY.12 study showed that gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin (GDP) were noninferior to dexamethasone, cytarabine, and cisplatin (DHAP) in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive histology lymphoma prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. We conducted an economic evaluation from the perspective of the Canadian public healthcare system based on trial data. The primary outcome was an incremental cost utility analysis comparing costs and benefits associated with GDP vs DHAP. Resource utilization data were collected from 519 Canadian patients in the trial. Costs were presented in 2012 Canadian dollars and disaggregated to highlight the major cost drivers of care. Benefit was measured as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) based on utilities translated from prospectively collected quality-of-life data. All statistical tests were two-sided. The mean overall costs of treatment per patient in the GDP and DHAP arms were $19 961 (95% confidence interval (CI) = $17 286 to $24 565) and $34 425 (95% CI = $31 901 to $39 520), respectively, with an incremental difference in direct medical costs of $14 464 per patient in favor of GDP (P < .001). The predominant cost driver for both treatment arms was related to hospitalizations. The mean discounted quality-adjusted overall survival with GDP was 0.161 QALYs and 0.152 QALYs for DHAP (difference = 0.01 QALYs, P = .146). In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, GDP was associated with both cost savings and improved quality-adjusted outcomes compared with DHAP in 92.6% of cost-pair simulations. GDP was associated with both lower costs and similar quality-adjusted outcomes compared with DHAP in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma. Considering both costs and outcomes, GDP was the dominant therapy.

Cost of acute stroke care for patients with atrial fibrillation compared with those in sinus rhythm.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke. Cost-effectiveness studies of anticoagulants for stroke prevention in AF rarely utilise AF-stroke-specific cost data in their analyses, as data are limited. Data that exist do not account for AF found on prolonged cardiac monitoring after stroke, further underestimating the clinical and economic burden of AF-stroke. Our objective was to investigate differences in direct medical costs of acute stroke care among patients with and without AF. Data were prospectively collected from 213 consecutive patients with confirmed stroke (196 ischaemic [IS], 17 intracranial haemorrhage [ICH]), admitted to a UK district general hospital between November 2011 and October 2012. Sociodemographic, clinical and cardiac monitoring characteristics were recorded, and resource use was calculated using a 'bottom-up' approach. Univariate and multivariate stepwise regressions were performed to identify predictors of direct cost. Among patients with IS, 73 had AF (37%). These patients were older, experienced greater stroke severity, lengths of hospitalisation, inpatient mortality and discharge to institutionalised care than those without AF. Mean acute care costs for the year 2012 were £6,978 (standard deviation [SD] 6,769, range 510-36,952). Mean (SD) costs were significantly higher for patients with AF than for those without (£9,083 [7,381] vs. £5,729 [6,071], p = <0.001). AF independently predicted acute care cost along with history of heart failure and stroke severity. The adjusted independent effect of having AF on costs was an additional £2,173 (95% confidence interval 91-4,254; p = 0.041). Costs for patients with an ICH did not differ according to cardiac rhythm. Direct medical costs of acute stroke care for patients with AF may be 50% greater than for patients without. Economic studies should take this into account to ensure the benefits of anticoagulants are not underestimated.