Cost of lameness in dairy herds: An integrated bioeconomic modeling approach.

Foot disorders are costly health disorders in dairy farms, and their prevalence is related to several factors such as breed, nutrition, and farmer's management strategy. Very few modeling approaches have considered the dynamics of foot disorders and their interaction with farm management strategies within a holistic farm simulation model. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost of foot disorders in dairy herds by simulating strategies for managing lameness. A dynamic and stochastic simulation model (DairyHealthSim) was used to simulate the herd dynamics, reproduction management, and health events. A specific module was built for lameness and related herd-level management strategies. Foot disorder occurrences were simulated with a base risk for each etiology [digital dermatitis (DD), interdigital dermatitis, interdigital phlegmon, sole ulcer (SU), white line disease (WLD)]. Two state machines were implemented in the model: the first was related to the disease-induced lameness score (from 1 to 5), and the second concerned DD-state transitions. A total of 880 simulations were run to represent the combination of the following 5 scenarios: (1) housing (concrete vs. textured), (2) hygiene (2 different scraping frequencies), (3) the existence of preventive trimming, (4) different thresholds of DD prevalence detected and from which a collective footbath is applied to treat DD, and (5) farmer's ability to detect lameness (detection rate). Housing, hygiene, and trimming scenarios were associated with risk factors applied for each foot disorder etiologies. The footbath and lameness detection scenarios both determined the treatment setup and the policy of herd observance. The economic evaluation outcome was the gross margin per year. A linear regression model was run to estimate the cost per lame cow (lameness score ≥3), per case of DD and per week of a cow's medium lameness duration. The bioeconomic model reproduced a lameness prevalence varying from 26 to 98% depending on the management scenario, demonstrating a high capacity of the model to represent the diversity of the field situations. Digital dermatitis represented half of the total lameness cases, followed by interdigital dermatitis (28%), SU (19%), WLD (13%), and interdigital phlegmon (4%). The housing scenarios dramatically influenced the prevalence of SU and WLD, whereas scraping frequency and threshold for footbath application mainly determined the presence of DD. Interestingly, the results showed that preventive trimming allowed a better reduction in lameness prevalence than spending time on early detection. Scraping frequency was highly associated with DD occurrence, especially with a textured floor. The regression showed that costs were homogeneous (i.e., did not change with lameness prevalence; marginal cost equals average cost). A lame cow and a DD-affected cow cost €307.50 ± 8.40 (SD) and €391.80 ± 10.0 per year on average, respectively. The results also showed a cost of €12.10 ± 0.36 per week-cow lameness. The present estimation is the first to account for interactions between etiologies and for the complex DD dynamics with all the M-stage transitions, bringing a high level of accuracy to the results.

Burden of Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Sweden.

In recent decades, the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Sweden has increased. To calculate the burden of disease over a 17-year period, we analyzed data from the Swedish National Health Data Register for TBE cases diagnosed during 1998-2014. We compared healthcare use and sick leave associated with 2,429 persons with TBE with a referent cohort of 7,287 persons without TBE. Patients with TBE were hospitalized for significantly more days during the first year after disease onset (11.5 vs. 1.1 days), logged more specialist outpatient visits (3.6 vs. 1.2 visits), and logged more sick leave days (66 vs. 10.7 days). These differences generally increased over time. The case-fatality rate for TBE was 1.1%. Our calculated cost of TBE to society provides a baseline for decisions on immunization programs. Analyzing register data, our study adds to clinical studies of smaller cohorts and model-based studies that calculate disease burden.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of empagliflozin versus sitagliptin as second-line therapy for treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes in the United States.

AIM: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of sequential addition of empagliflozin versus sitagliptin after metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with or without cardiovascular disease (CVD) from the perspective of the US healthcare payer. METHODS: An individual simulation model predicted lifetime diabetes-related complications, using UKPDS-OM2 equations in patients without CVD, and EMPA-REG OUTCOME equations in patients with CVD. Additional US-based sources informed inputs for population characteristics, adverse events, non-CV death, treatment escalation, quality of life and costs. Costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were discounted 3.0% annually. RESULTS: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for second-line empagliflozin versus sitagliptin in the overall T2D population was $6967/QALY. Empagliflozin led to longer CVD-free survival (0.07 years) and an 11% reduction in CV death in patients with CVD compared with sitagliptin. Empagliflozin resulted in greater benefits with greater costs in patients with versus without baseline CVD, yielding ICERs of $3589/QALY versus $12 577/QALY, respectively. Results were consistent across a range of deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses and scenarios. CONCLUSION: Compared with sitagliptin, empagliflozin was cost-effective (at $50 000/QALY US threshold) as a second-line treatment to metformin for T2D patients with or without CVD in the United States. Our findings lend additional support for more widespread adoption of guidelines by healthcare decision-makers for T2D treatment.

"Headache yesterday" at work. Pilot study of headache impact in an active workforce.

A pilot (single company) questionnaire-based on-line survey aimed to evaluate headache related impact and estimate work-related productivity loss. Participation rate was 5.4%, respondents were mostly female (254, 78.9%) 37.6 years old on average, 63.9% had migraine. Headache point-prevalence on workdays was 14.6%. Lost productivity was 27.7%, considering 2h of absenteeism and 37.5% of over 50% productivity-loss to headache. Sixty percent of employees intended to compensate for lost work, at the expense of family and social time. Total yearly cost of headache in this sample was 262.500 €, 94% indirect wage-loss cost, which extrapolates to 485M€ at a national level.

Economic costs incurred by the patients with multiple sclerosis at different levels of the disease: a cross-sectional study in Northwest Iran.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes significant economic burden to the patients, families, health systems and society. This study aimed to estimate the annual economic costs incurred by patients with multiple sclerosis (pwms) at different levels of the disease. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study, using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) tool for assessing the disease level of 300 (=N) pwms in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. To estimate the cost of MS, a questionnaire with its validity and reliability (CVR 92% and CVI 87%) and pilot test (Cronbach's alpha score 0.89) was used. The data were collected by interviewing pwms and reviewing their clinical records. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess the relationship between disease levels and incurred costs. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean annual cost for pwms in Iran is 97,521,740 IRR (equivalent to 2321.94 USD; 1978.93 EURO) and the mean score of EDSS in pwms was 3.14. The annual cost incurred by pwms with mild, moderate and severe levels of disease were 83,918,150 IRR (1998.05 USD; 1702.88EURO), 137,772,660 IRR (3280.30 USD; 2795.71 EURO) and 119,962,670 IRR (2856.25 USD;2434.30 EURO), respectively. Also, on average, each increase in EDSS score in pwms in Iran led to increase 8,139,260 IRR (equivalent to 193.79 USD; and 165.16 EURO) in total annual cost which must paid from pwms and their households exclusively. Also, there was a significant relationship between total annual cost and disease severity in such a way that any increase in EDSS degree is led to 8,139,260 IRR (193.79 USD; 165.16 EURO) added cost for pwms. CONCLUSION: The study results could be helpful for Iranian health managers to solve problems which are facing by the patients with multiple sclerosis and their families.

Use of a stochastic simulation model to estimate the cost per case of digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, and white line disease by parity group and incidence timing.

A farm-level stochastic simulation model was modified to estimate the cost per case of 3 foot disorders (digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, and white line disease) by parity group and incidence timing. Disorder expenditures considered within the model included therapeutics, outside labor, and on-farm labor. Disorder losses considered within the model included discarded milk, reduced milk production, extended days open, an increased risk of culling, an increased risk of death (natural or euthanized), and disease recurrence. All estimates of expenditures and losses were defined using data from previously published research in stochastic distributions. Stochastic simulation was used to account for variation within the farm model; 1,000 iterations were run. Sensitivity of foot disorder costs to selected market prices (milk price, feed price, replacement heifer price, and slaughter price) and herd-specific performance variables (pregnancy rate) were analyzed. Using our model assumptions, the cost per disorder case over all combinations of parity group and incidence timing, regardless of incidence likelihood, was lowest for digital dermatitis ($64 ± 24; mean ± standard deviation), followed by white line disease ($152 ± 26) and sole ulcer ($178 ± 29). Disorder costs were greater in multiparous versus primiparous cows and were always highest at the beginning of lactation. The greatest contributing cost categories were decreased milk production, an increased risk of culling, and disease recurrence. The contribution of cost categories to the total cost of disorder varied by disorder type, parity group, and incidence timing. For all disorders, the cost per case increased as milk price or replacement heifer price increased and decreased as feed price, pregnancy rate, or slaughter price increased. Understanding how foot disorder costs change according to cow-specific conditions (i.e., disorder type, parity group, and days in milk at incidence) and herd-specific conditions (i.e., market prices and performance variables) can help improve on-farm decisions about treatment and prevention of foot disorders.

Estimating the direct costs of ischemic heart disease: evidence from a teaching hospital in BRAZIL, a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease. In the United States, 7% of adults over 20 years of age are estimated to have coronary artery disease. In Brazil, a prevalence of 5 to 8% has been estimated in adults over 40 years of age, with an increased number of hospitalizations associated with both stable and acute clinical manifestations; and health care costs have quadrupled in the last decade. To estimate the direct costs of managing ischemic heart disease patient care in a teaching hospital in Brazil from the perspective of the service payer, the Brazilian Unified Health System. METHODS: This study was a retrospective cohort study for the identification and valuation of resources used at both the outpatient and in-hospital levels in a sample of 330 patients selected from the hospital's ischemic heart disease clinic. Data were collected from computerized hospital records and patients' hospital bills from January 2000 to October 2015. A bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 330 patients with a mean age 61 ± 10 years and a follow-up period of 107 ± 2.6 months; of the patients, 55% were male, 89% had hypertension, 48% had diabetes, and 65% had acute myocardial infarction. The mean annual cost of outpatient management was US $1,521 per patient. The mean cost per hospitalization was US $1,976, and the expenses were higher in the first and last years of follow-up. Unstable angina, revascularization procedures, diabetes, hypertension and obesity were predictors of higher hospitalization costs (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The cost estimates in this study indicate a high proportion of drug treatment costs in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Treatment costs are higher in the first year and at the end of treatment, and some clinical factors are associated with greater hospital care costs. These results may serve as a basis for the evaluation of existing public policies and inputs for cost-effectiveness studies in coronary artery disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CEP HCPA 11-0460 . Ethics Committee of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.

Estimating US dairy clinical disease costs with a stochastic simulation model.

A farm-level stochastic model was used to estimate costs of 7 common clinical diseases in the United States: mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, left-displaced abomasum, ketosis, and hypocalcemia. The total disease costs were divided into 7 categories: veterinary and treatment, producer labor, milk loss, discarded milk, culling cost, extended days open, and on-farm death. A Monte Carlo simulation with 5,000 iterations was applied to the model to account for inherent system variation. Four types of market prices (milk, feed, slaughter, and replacement cow) and 3 herd-performance factors (rolling herd average, product of heat detection rate and conception rate, and age at first calving) were modeled stochastically. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to study the relationship between total disease costs and selected stochastic factors. In general, the disease costs in multiparous cows were greater than in primiparous cows. Left-displaced abomasum had the greatest estimated total costs in all parities ($432.48 in primiparous cows and $639.51 in multiparous cows). Cost category contributions varied for different diseases and parities. Milk production loss and treatment cost were the 2 greatest cost categories. The effect of market prices were consistent in all diseases and parities; higher milk and replacement prices increased total costs, whereas greater feed and slaughter prices decreased disease costs.

[Complications and costs in primary knee replacement surgery in an endoprosthetics centre : Influence of state of training]. / Komplikationen und Kosten in der primären Knieendoprothetik in einem Endoprothetikzentrum : Einfluss des Weiterbildungsstandes.

BACKGROUND: This work examines the hypothesis that in endoprosthesis implantation there are differences between experienced primary and senior caregivers (S-Op) and less experienced follow-up assistants (T-Op) with respect to process-relevant parameters. The main hypothesis is that compared to S­Op, T­Op cause significantly longer surgery times and thus additional operating theatre costs. As sub-hypotheses, differences in various perioperative (p-o) parameters between T­Op and S­Op were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The status of the operator (senior and/or senior main operator [S-Op]) and/or postoperative CRP, perioperative blood loss, the amount of transfused erythrocyte concentrates, patient age, gender, ASA risk classification (American Society of Anesthesiologists), duration of surgery and blood transfusion, duration of inpatient stay, as well as the rates of early revision surgery and complications were recorded. A comparison of patients who had been operated by an S­Op and those who had been operated by a T­Op was made for all parameters. RESULTS: Significant differences were found with respect to the duration of surgery, the duration of the hospital stay, and CRP on the third p­o day. The T­Op required an average of 11 min more than the S­Op. CRP was significantly higher in the T­Op group only on the third p­o day, by 18 mg/l. In contrast, in the T­Op group, a blood loss of 181 ml was lower than in the S­Op group. This corresponded to a reduction of 0.26 transfused erythrocyte concentrates. There were no significant differences in complication rates between S­Op and T­Op. DISCUSSION: In the setting of a certified endoprosthetics centre, the comparison of T­Op with S­Op showed that the use of the former with at a non-increased complication rate led to a significant extension of the operating time. This leads to additional training costs in the amount of an estimated 3% of the current DRG remuneration. These additional costs are not represented adequately in the current remuneration system.

The Economic Burden of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder in the United States (2019).

INTRODUCTION: Previous societal burden estimations for major depressive disorder (MDD) often fail to account for several hidden cost components. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of societal costs for adults with MDD in the United States (USA) in 2019. The potential impact of a more effective, rapid-acting MDD therapy vs standard of care on the economic burden of MDD was estimated to illustrate the utility of such a framework in evaluating new interventions. METHODS: This study used a prevalence-based human capital approach. Incremental costs (2019 US dollars) per individual with MDD were derived from national survey inputs and published literature and included incremental healthcare costs and indirect costs. For each cost component, the societal costs were extrapolated by multiplying the per-patient costs by the number of individuals with MDD. The impact of a more effective, rapid-acting novel therapy on the economic burden of MDD was then simulated on the basis of these inputs. RESULTS: In 2019, the number of adults with MDD in the USA was estimated at 19.8 million (62.7% female; 32.9% severe MDD), and the incremental societal economic burden of MDD was estimated at $333.7 billion ($382.4 billion in 2023 US dollars), or $16,854 per adult with MDD. The primary cost drivers were healthcare costs ($127.3 billion; 38.1%), household-related costs ($80.1 billion; 24.0%), presenteeism ($43.3 billion; 13.0%), and absenteeism ($38.4 billion; 11.5%). In the simulated scenario, a hypothetical novel therapy with a 50.0% early response rate was associated with a 7.7% reduction in the economic burden of MDD relative to standard of care over 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of MDD is substantial and extends beyond healthcare costs, underscoring the impact of MDD across multiple aspects of life. Such a broad societal perspective should be considered in assessing the impact of the advent of effective, rapid-acting MDD therapies.

Healthcare costs associated with breast cancer in Germany: a claims data analysis.

PURPOSE: This study estimates the healthcare costs associated with breast cancer (BC) for different treatment phases (initial, intermediate, terminal) in Germany from the payer's perspective. METHODS: The analysis uses claims data from the AOK Bayern covering 2011-2014 for continuously insured BC patients identified through inpatient and outpatient diagnoses. We calculate the healthcare costs attributable to BC using a control group design comparing the target population to a 1:2 matched control group adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities. For incident and prevalent BC cases, we calculate age-standardized phase-specific incremental costs stratified by cost domain. RESULTS: The initial, intermediate, and terminal phases comprise 3841, 28,315, and 1767 BC cases, respectively. BC-related incremental costs follow a u-shaped curve, with costs highest near diagnosis and death, and lower in between. With average costs of €33,237 per incident and €28,211 per prevalent case in the remaining 11 months before death, the highest BC-related incremental healthcare costs can be found in the terminal phase. In the initial phase, there were mean incremental costs of €21,455 the first 11 months after diagnosis. In the intermediate phase, incremental costs totaled €2851 per incident and €2387 per prevalent case per year. Healthcare costs decreased with age in most phases. The cost drivers depend on the treatment phase, with cytostatic drugs and inpatient treatment showing the highest economic impact in most phases. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that BC care costs impose a relevant economic burden on statutory health insurance and vary substantially depending on the treatment phase.

Costs of illness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a cross-sectional survey in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Consequently, patients undergo a multidisciplinary treatment that often requires intensive use of medical resources. This study provides an estimate on the cost of illness depending on the clinical severity while also analysing the patients' health-related quality of life. METHODS: Primary data from patients and caregivers was collected through a standardised questionnaire. Direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs were calculated using the latest German health economic guidelines. Patients were divided into five groups according to the King's staging system. Health-related quality of life was assessed using EuroQoL Group EQ-5D-5L™ questionnaire. Influencing factors on both total cost and quality of life were examined. RESULTS: The mean annual total cost of illness was 78,256€ per patient while the lifetime cost per patient was estimated at 246,184€. The prevalence based total burden yearly therefore was 519,776,352€ in Germany. Nearly half of the costs were attributable to informal care. With increase of the clinical severity stage, costs rose and quality of life decreased. The score of the revised Amyotrophic Laterals Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale was identified as one major influencing factor on total costs, while subjective impairment in daily activities and classification into a care level as opposed to having no care level influenced patients' quality of life. CONCLUSION: It is essential to understand the socioeconomic burden of a disease. These data can be used to improve patient care standards and quality of life while also serving as a basis for cost-benefit analyses during the approval process of new treatments.

Determining Breast Cancer Treatment Costs Using the Top Down Cost Approach.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Turkey, with approximately 15.000 breast cancer diagnoses each year. In this study, our goal was to determine annual direct medical costs of all breast cancer patients in Turkey with top down cost approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data regarding patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and received health services from any hospital in Turkey in 2014 were used for the purpose of the study. Data were obtained from the MEDULA System for a total of 126.664 patient. Treatment of costs of patients were calculated based on types of patient admissions (inpatient/outpatient/intensive care) and costs of drugs and medical equipment. Indirect costs and out of pocket costs were not included. RESULTS: Total medical costs of 126,664 patients was calculated as $116.792.107,9, with an average treatment cost per patient of $922,1. Based on types of patient admission, intensive care treatment had the highest average cost with $2.916.5. In metastatic breast cancer patients, average annual treatment cost per patient is $2.326,6, which is 2.8 times higher compared to non-metastatic breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION: In order to ensure effective resource allocation at micro and macro level, healthcare administrators have to learn costs of diseases with high incidence such as breast cancer. Results obtained from studies on disease costs calculated using the top down cost approach provide data on actual health services use and therefore are seen as important tools for healthcare administrators in terms of effective resource allocation.

Forecasting Single Disease Cost of Cataract Based on Multivariable Regression Analysis and Backpropagation Neural Network.

In medical services, charge according to the disease is an important way to promote the reform of pricing mechanism, control the unreasonable growth of medical expenses, as well as reduce the burden on patients. Single disease cost forecasting that both identify potential influencing or driving factors and enable better proactive estimation of costs can guide the management and control of medical costs. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the medical costs of single disease cataract and compare 2 regression models for anticipating acceptable medical cost forecasts. For this purpose, 483 patients with cataract surgery completed in West China Hospital from May 1, 2015, to October 1, 2015, were selected from hospital information system. For cost forecasting, multivariable regression analysis (MRA) and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) were used. Analysis of data was performed with SPSS21.0 and MATLAB2014a software. Total medical costs of patients with cataract (n = 483) ranged from 2015.00 to 13 359.00 CNY, and the mean ± standard deviation is 6292.29 ± 2639.43 CNY. Factors influencing costs of cataract in the MRA include, in importance order, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (|r|: 0.805, P < .01), doctor level (|r|: 0.644, P < .01), payment source (|r|: 0.554, P < .01), admission status (|r|: 0.326, P < .01), additional diagnosis (|r|: 0.260, P < .01), type of surgery (|r|: 0.127, P < .05), and type of anesthesia (|r|: 0.126, P < .05). In terms of forecasting performance, BPNN (average error: 2.81%) outperforms, yet is less interpretable than MRA (average error: 5.79%). Both MRA and BPNN are technically and economically feasible in generating medical costs of cataract. And some insights on using results of the forecasting model in controlling and reducing disease costs are obtained.

Farmers sun exposure, skin protection and public health campaigns: An Australian perspective.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a common and costly cancer in agricultural populations. Prevention and early detection are an effective way to decrease the burden of disease and associated costs. To examine sun exposure and skin protection practices in agricultural workers and farmers a thematic review of the literature between 1983 and 2014 was undertaken. Comparison between studies was complicated by differences in study design, definitions of skin protection, and analytic methods used. Farmers are the most exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of all outdoor workers and the level of reported skin protection by farmers is suboptimal. Years of public health campaigns have failed to adequately address farmers' specific needs. Increased rates of skin cancer and subsequent higher costs are expected. Estimates of sun exposure and skin protection practice indicate that protective clothing is the most promising avenue to improve on farmers' skin protection. Early detection needs to be part of public health campaigns. This review explores the quantitative data about Australian farmers and their skin protective behaviours. We investigate what the documented measurable effect of the public health campaign Slip!Slop!Slap! has had on agricultural workers and farmers and make recommendations for future focus.

The cost of type 2 diabetes in Brazil: evaluation of a diabetes care center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide increase of diabetes, a long duration, slow progression disease, impacts health care costs. The aim of this study was to estimate, from the society's perspective, the annual cost per patient with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) at a specialized, outpatient center in the city of São Paulo, capital of São Paulo state, Brazil. METHODS: Data from 209 patients were collected during the years 2009 and 2010 in a São Paulo diabetes care center which is part of the tertiary sector of SUS, Brazil's National Health Care System. Data were collected by means of interviews and reviews of medical charts, and the quality of life was appraised using the SF36-v2 questionnaire. Direct medical costs were divided in five categories: 1) medication; 2) laboratory tests; 3) hospitalizations and procedures; 4) reactive strips for capillary blood glucose monitoring; and 5) medical consultations. Direct non-medical costs referred to transportation of patient and companion for treatment. Indirect costs included early retirements, sick leave and absenteeism in the workplace. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by the SPSS software, version 17.0. RESULTS: Our sample comprised 122 women (58%) and 87 men (42%), with mean age of 63 years and average diabetes duration of 13 years. The mean annual cost was US$ 1,844 per patient, out of which US$ 1,012 corresponded to direct costs (55%) and US$ 831 to indirect costs (45%). From the direct medical costs, medications accounted for the greatest proportion (42%), followed by reactive strips (27%), hospitalizations and procedures (14%), laboratory tests and image examinations (7%), as well as medical consultations (4%). Non-medical costs (transportation) corresponded to 7% of the total direct costs. Besides, the results indicated that men have better quality of life than women. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high T2DM cost in Brazil, considering the governmental per capita expenses in health care, which accounted for US$ 466 in 2010 (World Health Statistics 2013 96-104 2013). Taking into account the high prevalence of the disease (IDF Diabetes Atlas. 5th edition. 29-48 2012), this survey recommends the enforcement of policies for the prevention of diabetes and its complications, and urges for better allocation of healthcare resources.

Costo institucional de la crisis hipertensiva en el policlínico "Antonio Maceo" / Institutional cost of hypertensive crisis in the Antonio Maceo polyclinic

Introducción: la hipertensión arterial afecta la salud de las poblaciones en todas las partes del mundo. Representa por sí misma una enfermedad y también un factor de riesgo para otras afecciones cardiovasculares. Su impacto es en el área de la epidemiología, la salud pública, y en el aspecto económico. Objetivo: determinar el costo institucional de la atención al paciente con crisis hipertensiva en el servicio urgencia del policlínico "Antonio Maceo" de La Habana en el primer semestre del año 2008. Métodos: se realizó un estudio del tipo de descripción de costos. El enfoque metodológico utilizado fue el costo de la enfermedad, siguiendo los pasos recomendados en la Guía Metodológica para las Evaluaciones Económicas en Salud en Cuba. Los costos fueron expresados en pesos cubanos no convertibles del año 2008. La perspectiva de análisis adoptada fue la institucional. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por 216 pacientes. En el cálculo del costo total institucional se consideraron las variables: costo por medicamentos, por medios diagnósticos, por salarios, entre otras. Resultados: se estudiaron 209 pacientes con urgencia hipertensiva (96,8 por ciento) y 7 con emergencia hipertensiva (3,2 por ciento). El costo total de la atención del paciente con crisis hipertensiva ascendió a 5 451,68 pesos en moneda nacional y el costo promedio por paciente fue de 25,23. Conclusiones: el costo mayor en la atención al paciente con crisis hipertensiva estuvo relacionado con el salario directo. La adecuada dispensarización y tratamiento de los pacientes hipertensos pudiera disminuir el costo de la atención médica.

Introduction: high blood pressure affects the health of populations at world scale. By itself represent a disease and a risk factor for other cardiovascular affections. Its impact is on the epidemiology, public health areas and in the economic feature. Objective: to determine the institutional cost of the patient care with hypertensive crisis in the emergency service of the "Antonio Maceo" polyclinic of La Habana during the first semester of 2008. Methods: a cost description study was conducted. The methodological approach used was that of disease cost, following the rules recommended in Methodological Guide for Health Economic Assessments of Cuba. Costs were expressed in non-convertible Cuban pesos of 2008. Analysis perspective adopted was the institutional one. Study universe included 216 patients. In the estimation of institutional total cost the following variable were considered: drug, diagnostic means, wages costs among others. Results: authors studied 209 patients diagnosed with hypertensive urgency (96,8 percent) and 7 with hypertensive emergency (3,2 percent). Total cost of patient care with hypertensive crisis rose to 5 451 68 pesos in national money and the mean cost by patient was of 25,23. Conclusions: the higher cost in patient care with hypertensive crisis was related to the net wage. The appropriate dispensarization and treatment of hypertensive patients could to decrease the medical care cost.

Fundamentos de los estudios de costo de la enfermedad: valoración actual del costo del glaucoma / Basic principles of study of disease costs: current assessment of glaucoma cost

INTRODUCCION: los estudios del costo de la enfermedad consisten en una estimación cuantificada y valorada en unidades monetarias de un conjunto de efectos de una enfermedad, un grupo de enfermedades o de un factor de riesgo, sobre los recursos, y sobre otras variables que tienen un efecto presumible sobre el bienestar de los individuos y la sociedad. OBJETIVOS: explicar los fundamentos generales de los estudios de costo de la enfermedad, y describir el estado actual de un caso particular, del glaucoma. MÉTODOS: se aplicó el modelo Big 6 desarrollado por Mike Eisenberg y Bob Berkoeitz, como método sistemático de solución de problemas de información, apoyada en el pensamiento crítico, para realizar la búsqueda de bibliografía. RESULTADOS: los estudios del costo de la enfermedad se consideran un estudio parcial, o bien un tipo de ejercicio de preevaluación que puede servir de punto de partida de estudios de evaluación propiamente dichos. Los estudios sobre las implicaciones socioeconómicas del glaucoma, refieren que los costos de la atención al paciente aumentan a medida que empeora esta enfermedad, y que la efectividad en el tratamiento al paciente y el retraso en la progresión de la enfermedad, pueden reducir significativamente la carga económica del glaucoma. CONCLUSIONES: los estudios de costo de la enfermedad pueden demostrar que las enfermedades requieren una mayor asignación de recursos para la prevención y para el tratamiento, y ayudarán a influir en las decisiones sobre las prioridades de investigación y monitorear el impacto de iniciativas de políticas en la salud visual

INTRODUCTION: studies of disease costs are an quantified valuation and assessed in monetary units of a series of disease effects, a group of diseases or of a risk factor on the resources and on other variables with a likely effect on the subject and society wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: to explain the general the basic principles of studies of disease cost and to describe the current state of a particular case of the glaucoma. METHODS: Big 6 form was applied developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkoeitz, as a systemic method of information problems solution supported in the critical thought to carry out the search of reference. RESULTS: the disease cost studies are a partial study or a type of pre-evaluation exercise that may to be the starting point of evaluation studies as such. The studies on the socioeconomic implications of glaucoma showed that the costs of patient care increase according to the worsening of disease and that the activity in patient treatment and a retard in the disease progression may to reduce significantly the economic burden of glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: the disease cost studies may to demonstrate that diseases require a major resources allocation to prevention and to treatment and will help to influence in the decisions on the research priorities and to monitoring the impact of initiative of politics in visual health