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International comparison of stroke cost studies
Silvia M A A Evers1, Jeroen N Struijs, André J H A Ament
1Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI) of Maastricht University, Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands. S.Evers@BEOZ.unimaas.nl
Stroke
|April 10, 2004
Summary
This study compares stroke healthcare costs internationally, finding expenditures are similar across countries, representing about 3% of national health spending. There
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health
- Stroke Research
Background:
- International healthcare interventions necessitate understanding economic impacts.
- Comparing stroke expenditures globally is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare total health care expenditures on stroke.
- To analyze per capita stroke costs and cost distribution internationally.
- To examine resource allocation across different healthcare facilities for stroke care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of stroke cost studies from January 1966 to July 2003.
- Evaluation of methodological, country-specific, and monetary aspects using a checklist.
- Systematic comparison of 25 selected stroke cost studies.
Main Results:
- Stroke expenditures are broadly similar across 8 studied countries, despite varied methodologies.
- Stroke accounts for approximately 3% of total national health expenditures in recent studies.
- A trend shows a shift from inpatient to outpatient and long-term care costs over time; patient/family costs and comorbidity costs are underrepresented.
Conclusions:
- International comparison of stroke economic consequences is vital.
- Stroke cost studies reveal insights into cost distribution and impact on national health expenditure.
- Further research should address patient/family borne costs and comorbidity in economic analyses.