RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There are no medical publications with economic analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) from Argentina are lacking. The objective of the present study is to determine the direct cost and its breakdown in patients with RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients who met the American College of Rheumatology RA criteria were included. Direct cost was calculated over a follow-up period of 6 months during year 2001. Variables were analyzed with Student's T test, Mann-Whitney U Test, c' or ANOVA as corresponded. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The mean monthly home income was $426.6 SD 272. The mean half-yearly direct costs was $677.5 SD 376.2. The components of the direct cost were identified and the mean for medication cost was $606.7 (89%), for lab tests was $45.5 (7%), for medical attention $12.5 (2%) and other costs $2.4. No differences in total cost or in medication cost were found when compared considering age, evolution time of RA or HAQ scores. CONCLUSION: Half-yearly direct cost in RA is excessively high considering the monthly mean income of the patients being analyzed. The cost of medication was the principal component of the direct cost.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/economía , Costos de Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Hospitales Universitarios , Análisis de Varianza , Argentina , Artritis Reumatoide/terapia , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There are no medical publications with economic analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) from Argentina are lacking. The objective of the present study is to determine the direct cost and its breakdown in patients with RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients who met the American College of Rheumatology RA criteria were included. Direct cost was calculated over a follow-up period of 6 months during year 2001. Variables were analyzed with Students T test, Mann-Whitney U Test, c or ANOVA as corresponded. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The mean monthly home income was $426.6 SD 272. The mean half-yearly direct costs was $677.5 SD 376.2. The components of the direct cost were identified and the mean for medication cost was $606.7 (89
), for lab tests was $45.5 (7
), for medical attention $12.5 (2
) and other costs $2.4. No differences in total cost or in medication cost were found when compared considering age, evolution time of RA or HAQ scores. CONCLUSION: Half-yearly direct cost in RA is excessively high considering the monthly mean income of the patients being analyzed. The cost of medication was the principal component of the direct cost.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There are no medical publications with economic analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) from Argentina are lacking. The objective of the present study is to determine the direct cost and its breakdown in patients with RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients who met the American College of Rheumatology RA criteria were included. Direct cost was calculated over a follow-up period of 6 months during year 2001. Variables were analyzed with Students T test, Mann-Whitney U Test, c or ANOVA as corresponded. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The mean monthly home income was $426.6 SD 272. The mean half-yearly direct costs was $677.5 SD 376.2. The components of the direct cost were identified and the mean for medication cost was $606.7 (89 per cent), for lab tests was $45.5 (7 per cent), for medical attention $12.5 (2 per cent) and other costs $2.4. No differences in total cost or in medication cost were found when compared considering age, evolution time of RA or HAQ scores. CONCLUSION: Half-yearly direct cost in RA is excessively high considering the monthly mean income of the patients being analyzed. The cost of medication was the principal component of the direct cost. (AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Costos de Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Artritis Reumatoide/economía , Hospitales Universitarios , Estudios de Seguimiento , Factores de Tiempo , Análisis de Varianza , Argentina , Artritis Reumatoide/terapiaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There are no medical publications with economic analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA) from Argentina are lacking. The objective of the present study is to determine the direct cost and its breakdown in patients with RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients who met the American College of Rheumatology RA criteria were included. Direct cost was calculated over a follow-up period of 6 months during year 2001. Variables were analyzed with Student's T test, Mann-Whitney U Test, c' or ANOVA as corresponded. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The mean monthly home income was $426.6 SD 272. The mean half-yearly direct costs was $677.5 SD 376.2. The components of the direct cost were identified and the mean for medication cost was $606.7 (89 per cent), for lab tests was $45.5 (7 per cent), for medical attention $12.5 (2 per cent) and other costs $2.4. No differences in total cost or in medication cost were found when compared considering age, evolution time of RA or HAQ scores. CONCLUSION: Half-yearly direct cost in RA is excessively high considering the monthly mean income of the patients being analyzed. The cost of medication was the principal component of the direct cost.