A Comprehensive Prospective Study of the Costs Associated With Evaluation of ß-Lactam Allergy.
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol
; 31(1): 52-57, 2021 Feb 17.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31599727
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Being labeled as allergic to penicillin (unverified ß-lactam allergy) can result in patients receiving broader-spectrum antibiotics than necessary that may be more toxic, less effective, and/or more expensive than alternative options. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the real costs of evaluating ß-lactam allergy. METHODS: We performed a prospective real-life observational study designed to evaluate all adult patients who consulted for suspected ß-lactam allergy over a 1-year period. Direct and indirect costs were systematically recorded. Direct health costs were calculated based on the number of visits and all additional and diagnostic tests performed, direct nonhealth costs based on the number of visits and the distance from their homes to the Allergy Department, and indirect costs based on absenteeism. RESULTS: A total of 296 patients with suspected allergy to ß-lactams were evaluated in our outpatient clinic from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018. Total direct health care costs were 28 176.70, with a mean (SD) cost of 95.19 (37.20). Direct nonhealth costs reached 6551.73, that is, 22.13 (40.44) per patient. Indirect health costs reached 20 769.20, with a mean of 70.17 (127.40). In summary, the total cost was 55 497.63, that is, a cost per patient of 187.49 (148.14). CONCLUSIONS: When all possible costs are taken into account, the evaluation of ß-lactam allergy is not expensive and can reduce future expense arising from unnecessary use of more expensive and less effective antibiotics.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Alérgenos
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Beta-Lactamas
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Hipersensibilidade a Drogas
Tipo de estudo:
Health_economic_evaluation
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Observational_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article