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Chagas' cardiomyopathy: the economic burden of an expensive and neglected disease

Abrão Abuhab1, Evelinda Trindade, Gabriel Barros Aulicino

  • 1Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.

International Journal of Cardiology
|March 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) leads to higher hospitalization costs and mortality during acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) admissions compared to other heart failure causes. This highlights the significant economic and health burden of CC.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) is an emerging cause of heart failure (HF), with significant socioeconomic impact.
  • CC's economic burden, especially during acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) admissions, is understudied compared to other HF etiologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the cost burden of CC during ADHF admissions.
  • To compare these costs with other HF etiologies.

Main Methods:

  • A five-year follow-up of 577 consecutive adult patients admitted for ADHF in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • Patients were divided into CC (58) and non-chagasic (NC) (519) groups.
  • Analysis of mortality, signs of inadequate perfusion, and hospitalization costs per day.

Main Results:

  • Mortality was significantly higher in the CC group (32.8%) versus the NC group (21.8%).
  • CC patients exhibited a higher prevalence of inadequate perfusion signs at admission.
  • Median daily hospitalization costs were higher for CC (US$467) compared to NC (US$308).

Conclusions:

  • ADHF admissions due to CC are more expensive and associated with higher mortality.
  • The severity of Chagas cardiomyopathy likely explains the increased costs and mortality.
Abstract

Keywords:
Chagas' cardiomyopathyEconomic burdenNeglected disease

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