Related Experiment Videos
[Costs study in Alzheimer's disease].
J C Atance Martínez1, A Yusta Izquierdo, B E Grupeli Gardel
1Hospital Provincial Ortiz de Zárate, Guadalajara.
Revista Clinica Espanola
|March 17, 2004
Summary
Alzheimer disease (AD) poses significant socio-economic challenges, with families bearing over 60% of direct care costs. Healthcare systems must provide better support for AD patients and their families.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Health Economics
Background:
- Alzheimer disease (AD) represents a major socio-sanitary and economic burden in developed countries.
- The aging population will increase AD incidence, intensifying the caregiving load on families.
- Day care units offer potential for greater family independence in managing AD patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct healthcare and social costs associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) patients in Guadalajara.
- To evaluate global and average costs based on disease severity, sex, and age.
- To identify key factors influencing costs, including epidemiological variables and comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- An observational, descriptive study involving 337 AD patients from various healthcare and residential facilities in Guadalajara.
- Data collection utilized clinical histories and hospital cost systems.
- Statistical analysis included the Kolmorov-Smirnov test for data distribution normality (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- The study included 76% women, with an average age of 73.63 years; women were older on average.
- Comorbidities were more prevalent in men. Pharmacotherapy consumption averaged 3.1 items.
- Annual costs per patient: consultations €2,064.75, complementary explorations €639, and pharmacy €4,560. Pharmacy costs were higher for women and patients with moderate AD (II).
- Average hospital stay was 10.8 days (€2,778 cost per admission). Primary care cost was €8,615 per patient/year.
- Residential care costs ranged from €11,900 (private) to €12,982 (mixed administration) per patient/year.
- Pharmacy expenses varied by AD severity: €2,470 (I), €141,359 (II), and €31,059.10 (III).
Conclusions:
- The average cost of care is approximately three times the pensions received by AD patients.
- Patients and/or families shoulder over 60% of the direct costs associated with Alzheimer disease.
- Current societal and healthcare systems inadequately address the financial burden faced by families due to AD.