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Economic impact of digoxin toxicity
A J Gandhi1, P H Vlasses, D J Morton
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine, USA.
Pharmacoeconomics
|July 6, 1997
Summary
Digoxin toxicity incurs significant costs to the US healthcare system, with most cases being preventable. Improved patient education and careful prescribing can reduce these economic burdens.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Health Economics
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- The financial impact of digoxin toxicity on the US healthcare system remains largely unreported.
- Digoxin is a widely prescribed medication for various cardiac conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the costs associated with digoxin toxicity in US academic hospitals.
- To identify the causes and potential preventability of digoxin toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the 1994 University Health-System Consortium (UHC) database using ICD-9 codes for digoxin toxicity.
- Review of medical records for 17 patients with digoxin toxicity at the University of Illinois Hospital (September 1994 - July 1995).
Main Results:
- Digoxin toxicity affected 0.07% of patients in the UHC database (836 cases).
- Mean overall cost per patient was $4087.05, with significant correlation to serum digoxin levels.
- Preventable causes included worsening renal function, excessive dosage, multiple prescriptions, and drug interactions.
Conclusions:
- Digoxin toxicity represents a substantial and often preventable financial burden on healthcare systems.
- Enhanced patient counseling and education are crucial for preventing digoxin toxicity.