The economic burden of atherothrombosis in Greece: results from the THESIS study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Atherothrombosis, encompassing conditions like coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease (PAD), represents a major global health challenge.
• Understanding the economic impact of atherothrombosis is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the total annual direct and indirect costs associated with patients who have or are at risk for atherothrombosis in Greece.
• To determine the cost variations across different atherothrombotic conditions and risk factor profiles.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre, cost-of-illness study was conducted from January 2007 to December 2009.
• 800 patients with established atherothrombotic diseases or multiple cardiovascular risk factors (MRF) were recruited.
• Cost data (direct healthcare and indirect costs) were collected at enrollment and at 6 and 12 months follow-up.

Main Results:

• The average annual total cost per patient was €6,017.
• Costs varied significantly, ranging from €10,098/patient for PAD to €1,813/patient for MRF.
• The national annual expenditure for atherothrombosis in Greece was estimated at €7.5 billion, with direct healthcare costs averaging €5,056/patient.

Conclusions:

• Atherothrombosis imposes a substantial economic burden on the Greek healthcare system.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents the most costly condition, necessitating focused economic evaluations and management strategies.
• The findings underscore the importance of preventive measures and efficient management of cardiovascular risk factors to mitigate the economic impact.