Economic burden associated with stroke in India: insights from national sample survey 2017-18

To estimate the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure and catastrophic expenditure due to stroke-related hospitalization and determine associated predictors.

Secondary analysis of household-based survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organization from June 2017 to 2018.

A total of 1152 and 407 individuals reported stroke-related hospitalization and outpatient care, respectively, in the survey. Stroke-related hospitalization rate in India is 46 per 100,000 persons. The mean and median expenditure per episode of stroke-related hospitalization was INR 40,360 (US$ 539.75) and INR 17,140 (US$ 229.22), respectively, with significant OOP hospitalization expenditure across wealth quintiles (p < 0.001). About 29% (25-34%) of households seeking stroke treatment in public medical institutions experienced catastrophic expenditure. 37% (34-40%) of households resorted to distress health financing due to stroke-related hospitalization. Medicines accounted on an average 38% and 73% of public sector hospitalization and outpatient care, respectively. Patients treated in a private facility, hospitalized for over 7 days, within the poorest wealth quintiles had higher odds of incurring catastrophic expenditure.

Economic burden associated with stroke-related hospitalization is substantial in India. The publicly funded health insurance scheme should cover expenses on stroke-related medicines to reduce OOP expenditure of patients seeking treatment in public sector facilities.