An approximation to data on mortality and out-of-pocket expenses for medical attention of infants <2 years old affiliated with the Medical Insurance Siglo XXI

Background: Medical Insurance Siglo XXI (MISXXI) in Mexico provides funds for the medical and preventive care of children from households lacking any health insurance, thus seeking to reduce impoverishing due to health problems. This paper analyzes mortality of children <2 years of age affiliated with this program and out-of-pocket expenses attributable to this event. Methods: An in-home survey addressed to determine the health conditions of children affiliated with MISXXI was carried out in all Mexican states. If the infant had died, information was collected with emphasis on diagnosis (death certificate), medical attention and out-of-pocket expenses. Diagnoses were classified in agreement with ICD-10. Results: Of 9181 children, 74 died by the time during which the survey was gathered; 51% of children died before 28 days. Deaths were attributable to short gestation, low birth weight, asphyxia, or sepsis. In newborns who died before 7 days of age, 95.7% received medical care; however, among those who died between 7 and 28 days, only 58% received medical care. During the neonatal period, medical care was predominantly given in the Ministry of Health facilities. During the post-neonatal period, almost all children received medical care, predominantly in private facilities, a reason for households incurring in out-of-pocket expenditures. Conclusions: Mortality of infants who are beneficiaries of MISXXI mainly occurs during the neonatal period; however, households incurred in out-of-pocket expenditures, especially in the post-neonatal period. It seems convenient to boost the access of users to benefits provided by this medical insurance.

Direct medical costs of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in two specialized public hospitals in Mexico / Costo médico directo del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria neonatal en dos hospitales públicos de alta especialidad en México

Objective. To estimate direct medical costs (DMC) associated with treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in newborns (NB) in two specialized public hospitals in Mexico. Materials and methods. The perspective used was health care payer. We estimated DMC associated with RDS management. The pattern of resource use was established by reviewing clinical records. Microcosting and bootstrap techniques were used to obtain the DMC. Estimated costs were reported in 2011 US dollars. Results. Average DMC per RDS event was 14 226 USD. The most significant items that account for this cost were hospitalization (38%), laboratory and diagnostic exams (18%), incubator time (10%), surfactant therapy (7%), and mechanical ventilation (7%). Conclusion. Average DMC in NB with RDS fluctuated in relation to gestational age weight at birth and clinical complications presented by patients during their hospitalization.

Objetivo. Determinar los costos médicos directos (CMD) asociados con el tratamiento del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria (SDR) en recién nacidos pretérmino en dos hospitales públicos de alta especialidad de México. Material y métodos. Se utilizó la perspectiva del pagador de servicios de salud. El uso de recursos se estimó mediante la revisión de expedientes clínicos. Se empleó la técnica de microcosteo y de bootstrap para la obtención de los CMD. Los costos fueron reportados en dólares estadounidenses de 2011. Resultados. El CMD por evento de SDR promedio fue de 14 226 dólares distribuidos entre los costos de hospitalización (38%), laboratorio y exámenes de diagnóstico (18%), tiempo en incubación (10%), terapia con surfactantes (7%) y ventilación mecánica (7%). Conclusión. Los CMD promedio en recién nacidos pretérmino con SDR están relacionados con la edad gestacional, el peso al nacer y las complicaciones clínicas que presentan los pacientes durante su hospitalización.

Direct medical costs of treating Mexican children under 2 years of age with respiratory syncytial virus

Background. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most frequent etiologic agent causing lower respiratory tract infection in children <2 years of age. Between 0.5 and 3% of patients will require hospitalization. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct medical cost of treating children <2 years old with suspicion of RSV at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Methods. Direct medical costs were estimated from an institutional perspective. Medical records were reviewed from patients <2 years of age who attended emergency services in second-level hospitals including subjects who required hospitalization. Estimated costs were obtained with the microcosting technique using the institutional costs from IMSS (year 2010). Costs were reported in USD (year 2011). Results. When analyzing total medical costs, outpatient management yielded a cost of $230.0 ± $10.30 U.S. dollars (USD), whereas hospitalized patients exhibited an average cost of $8,313.20 ± $595.30 USD. The main components of outpatient management costs were emergency visits, specialist consultations and diagnostic testing (41.6%, 32.7% and 10.7% of the total cost, respectively). In the case of hospitalized patients, intensive care unit cost (89.3%) and overall hospitalization cost (6.5%) represented 95.7% of the total cost. Conclusions. RSV is a disease that represents a significant economic burden for health care institutions, although most patients are treated on an outpatient basis.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of palivizumab in the prophylaxis of preterm patients in Mexico / Análisis de costo-efectividad del uso de palivizumab en la profilaxis de pacientes prematuros en México

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the prophylaxis of palivizumab, for the reduction of complications associated to the respiratory syncytial virus in preterm patients in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A decision tree was developed in preterm groups [<29 and 29-32 weeks of gestational age (wGA)], by using epidemiological and cost local data; the effectiveness was obtained with a systematic review. Patients were evaluated according to their life expectancy. Mexican Health System perspective was used. Effectiveness measures employed were LYG and QALYs. The costs are reported in USD 2009. RESULTS: ICERs per LYG resulted on values of USD $25,029 and USD $29,637 for <29 wGA and 29-32 wGA respectively, whereas ICERs per QALYs obtained in the model accounted for USD $17,532 and USD $20,760. CONCLUSIONS: Palivizumab prophylaxis for preterm newborn patients ≤32 weeks of age resulted in a cost-effective alternative.

OBJETIVO: El estudio evaluó la razón costo-efectividad incremental (RCEI) de profilaxis con palivizumab para reducción de complicaciones asociadas al virus sincicial respiratorio en prematuros en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se empleó un árbol de decisiones en los grupos pretérmino [<29 y 29-32 semanas de edad gestacional (SEG)], empleando datos epidemiológicos y costos locales; la eficacia se obtuvo con una revisión sistemática, evaluando a los pacientes de acuerdo con su esperanza de vida. Se empleó la perspectiva del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Las medidas de eficacia fueron AVG y AVAC. Los costos son reportados en dólares de 2009. RESULTADOS: Las RCEI por AVG resultaron de USD $25 029 y USD $29 637 para <29 y 29-32 SEG, mientras que las RCEI por AVAC fueron de USD $17 532 y USD $20 760. CONCLUSIONES: La profilaxis con palivizumab en pacientes recién nacidos pretérmino ≤32 semanas de edad resultó ser una alternativa costo-efectiva.

Economic evaluation of the use of exogenous pulmonary surfactants in preterm newborns in a Mexican population / Evaluación económica de la utilización de surfactantes pulmonares exógenos en recién nacidos pretérmino en población mexicana

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness ratio of surfactant rescue treatment of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who are covered by the Medical Insurance for a New Generation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cost-effectiveness evaluation was conducted from the third-payer perspective. Comparisons were made between the use of bovine surfactant (BS) therapy and without BS therapy. A decision tree model with a lifetime horizon was used where the measurements of effectiveness were life years gained (LYG) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). A 5% discount rate was considered for costs and health outcomes. All costs are expressed in Mexican pesos 2009. RESULTS: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were MXN$136670 per LYG and MXN$125250 per QALY. CONCLUSION: Surfactant therapy was confirmed as a cost-effective strategy in accordance with World Health Organization criteria of three per capita gross domestic product (GDP) per QALY in premature infants with RDS in Mexico.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la razón de costo efectividad incremental del tratamiento de surfactante de rescate en pacientes pretérmino con Síndrome de Dificultad Respiratoria (SDR) cubiertos por el Seguro Médico para una Nueva Generación. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Evaluación de costo-efectividad desde la perspectiva del tercer pagador. Los comparadores fueron la terapia de surfactante bovino y la alternativa de no emplear ésta. Se utilizó un árbol de decisión que consideró la esperanza de vida como horizonte temporal y las medidas de efectividad fueron los años de vida ganados (AVG) y los años de vida ajustados por calidad de vida ( AVAC).Resultados en pesos mexicanos del 2009. RESULTADOS: Las RCEI por AVG y AVAC fueron de MXN$136670 y MXN$125250. CONCLUSIÓN: La razón de costo por AVG y AVAC para la terapia de surfactantes en pacientes prematuros con SDR en México fue menor a tres veces el PIB per cápita, por lo que es una estrategia costo-efectiva según los criterios de la OMS.

Revisión sistemática y meta-análisis sobre la efectividad del surfactante bovino como tratamiento de prematuros con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria / Systematic review and meta-analysis of bovine surfactant effectiveness for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in premature newborns

Introducción. Con el propósito de determinar la efectividad del surfactante bovino (SB) para el tratamiento del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria (SDR) en recién nacidos prematuros (RNP), se realizó una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis. Métodos. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) donde se comparó SB con placebo. Las variables de desenlace fueron: mortalidad, morbilidad, días de ventilación mecánica (VM) y de estancia hospitalaria. Los ECA publicados hasta el 2010 se identificaron en Medline, EMBASE y la Colaboración Cochrane. La selección de los ECA fue por pares. En el meta-análisis se calculó riesgo relativo (RR) y diferencia de medias ponderada (DMP), con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). Resultados. De 865 títulos y resúmenes, se revisaron 89 artículos en extenso y se seleccionaron 12 ECA. El SB se mostró efectivo en cuatro variables: mortalidad (RR 0.73, IC95% 0.60-0.88, P =0.001), neumotórax (RR 0.41; IC95% 0.33-0.51, P <0.0001), enfisema intersticial pulmonar (RR 0.45; IC95% 0.36-0.56, P <0.0001) y días de VM (DMP -9.57; IC95% -16.58, -2.56, P =0.007). Para otras, como displasia broncopulmonar, enterocolitis necrosante, hemorragia intraventricular o alteración del desarrollo neurológico, no se determinó ventaja con SB. Conclusiones. En RNP, el uso de SB es efectivo al disminuir la mortalidad, la frecuencia de neumotórax y enfisema intersticial pulmonar, así como el tiempo de VM y, posiblemente, el de estancia hospitalaria.

Background. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the bovine surfactant (BS) for the treatment of newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. Randomized-controlled trials (RCT) assessing the BS in comparison with placebo for the treatment of prematures with RDS were included. Outcome measures evaluated were: mortality, morbidity, days on mechanical ventilation (MV) and length of hospitalization. RCT published until 2010 were obtained from Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Collaboration. Selection of included studies was based on a peer-review process. For the meta-analyses, relative risk (RR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated, with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results. From 865 titles and abstracts obtained, 89 papers were reviewed and 12 RCT were selected. Among the outcome measures assessed, BS was shown to be effective in only in four: mortality (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.88, p =0.001), pneumothorax (RR 0.41; 95% CI 0.33-0.51, p <0.0001), pulmonary interstitial emphysema (RR 0.45; 95% CI 0.36-0.56, p <0.0001) and on days of MV (WMD -9.57; 95% CI -16.58 to -2.56, p =0.007). However, we did not find any positive effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage or abnormal neurological development. Conclusions. In newborns with RDS, bovine surfactant is effective regarding mortality, pneumothorax, and pulmonary interstitial emphysema, as well as on decrease in the length of MV and possibly on length of hospitalization.

Una mirada desde los servicios de salud a la nutrición de la niñez mexicana: III. Carga económica y en salud de la obesidad en niños mexicanos. Proyecciones de largo plazo / A look from health services to the nutrition of Mexican childhood: III. Economic and health burden of Mexican childhood obesity. Long-term projections

Objetivo. Estimar la carga económica y en salud de la obesidad en niños mexicanos en un horizonte de largo plazo. Estimación de costos médicos atribuibles a la obesidad en niños mexicanos durante 2006-2050. Una cohorte hipotética de 5-11 años de edad obesa se modeló con base en prevalencia, incidencia y evolución clínica. Los costos considerados fueron por diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e hipertensión arterial. En 2015 se presentarían los primeros casos de diabetes mellitus y de hipertensión arterial. Cuando el primer grupo de niños cumpla 40 años aumentarán considerablemente las complicaciones de la obesidad. Para 2050, 67.3% de la cohorte tendría obesidad. El costo de atención a la obesidad será de $57 678 millones de pesos. La magnitud de la obesidad se reporta en niveles preocupantes en todas las edades, con costos que consumirán buena parte de los recursos del sistema de salud.

Objective. To estimate the economic and health burden of childhood obesity in Mexican population over the long term. This study estimates healthcare costs due to child obesity in Mexican children from 2006-2050. A hypothetic 5-11-year-old obese cohort based on prevalence, incidence, and clinical development data was modelled. Cost allocation considerations include type 2 diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. The first cases of diabetes mellitus and with a risk of high blood pressure appears in the year 2015. When the first group of children is 40 years old, there is a considerable increase in obesity-related complications. A total of 67.3% of the cohort would have obesity in the year 2050. The cost of obesity care would be $57 678 million Mexican pesos. The magnitude of obesity reported is at worrisome levels in all age groups, showing costs that would consume a high percentage of the health system’s resources.