TITLE:
Estimation of the Direct Cost of Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Three Reference Hospitals in the City of Yaoundé: A Retrospective Study over a Three-Year Period
AUTHORS:
Hamadou Ba, Nganou-Ngnindjio Chris Nadège, Tatchim Samuel Aimé, Kamdem Félicité, Tchoukoua Serge Honoré, Ahmadou Jingi, Danwe Dieudonne, Kingue Samuel
KEYWORDS:
Cost, Management, Venous Thromboembolism, Yaoundé
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.14 No.2,
February
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major public health problem due to its
increasing frequency, mortality and management cost. This cost may require
major financial efforts from patients, especially in developing countries like
ours where less than 7% of the population has health insurance. This study
aimed to estimate the direct cost of managing VTE in three reference hospitals
in Yaoundé. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study over
a three-year period (from January 1st 2018 to December 31 2020) carried out in
the Cardiology departments of the Central and General Hospitals, and the
Emergency Centre of the city of Yaoundé. All patients managed during the study
period for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism confirmed by venous ultrasound coupled with Doppler and computed tomography pulmonary angiography respectively were included.
For each patient, we collected sociodemographic and clinical data as well as
data on the cost of consultation, hospital stay, workups and medications. These
data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: A total of 92
patient’s records were analysed. The median age was 60 years [48 - 68]
with a sex ratio of 0.53. The median direct cost of management of venous
thromboembolism was 766,375 CFAF [536,455 - 1,029,745] or $1415 USD. Management of pulmonary embolism associated with deep
vein thrombosis was more costly than isolated pulmonary embolism or deep vein
thrombosis. Factors influencing the direct cost of management of venous
thromboembolism were: hospital structure (p = 0.015), health insurance (p 0.001), type of pulmonary
embolism (p = 0.021), and length of hospital stay (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Management of VTE is a major financial burden for our
patients and this burden is influenced by the hospital structure, health
insurance, type of pulmonary embolism and length of hospital stay.