Chronic Kidney Diesease-Economic Impact: A Vietnamese Hospital Perspective, 2014–2017

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. A cost analysis is needed to inform the economic evaluations for prevention strategies and treatment options. The unaffordable price of medication and haemodialysis remains one of the major barriers to the successful treatment of CKD. Aim: To estimate the direct costs associated with treating CKD at the outpatient and inpatient departments of a general hospital in Vietnam. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cost-of-illness study measured the economic burden of CKD outpatient and inpatient care in Vietnam based on a patient, provider, and payer perspective. Data on 4,429 individuals with CKD treated at the Kien Giang General Hospital for the years 2014–2017 was analysed. Description statistics for different types of direct medical costs and medications were evaluated and the differences between direct costs identified by characteristic were compared using the independent sample t-test or the oneway analysis of variances test. Results: The direct medical costs per year, per patient receiving either haemodialysis or not at the outpatient department were US $2,401 and US $957, respectively; the corresponding figures for a patient receiving treatment at the inpatient department were US $611 and US $202, respectively. Treatment costs were found to be statistically significantly higher for patients on haemodialysis, for patients whose treatment was supported by insurance and for patients living in rural areas. Erythropoietin stimulating agents and cardiovascular disease-related medicines were the most costly medications. Conclusions: CKD is a significant contributor to the financial burden of patients and society. Our study provides a baseline estimate of CKD cost that can be used by future studies for comparison.

Keywords

• costs of illness
• illness burden
• hospital
• vietnam