OBJECTIVES: Alcoholic cirrhosis and viral (especially hepatitis C) cirrhosis account for 50% of liver transplantation indications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cost of liver transplantation from the hospital's perspective, according to indication. METHODS: This retrospective study at a university hospital included 60 patients (cause of liver disease: alcoholic or hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis) who underwent liver transplantation between 1996 and 1999. All patients received the liver of brain-dead donors. The outcome measure was the cost of hospitalization from admission for transplantation through two years afterwards. The study does not include the costs of pre-transplantation evaluation or organ procurement. To calculate medical costs, we collected data about pharmaceutical use and laboratory tests for each patient. Logistic costs were calculated from French data for diagnosis-related groups, according to length of stay. Consultations and admissions in the two years after transplantation were collected, and their costs calculated. RESULTS: Length of stay for transplantation (mean: 24 days, range 11-66) and costs (average 40 keuro per patient, range: 27.8-75.7, i.e., 52 keuro after escalation to 2006 levels) were similar. The cost of transplantation was higher (p=0.002) for Child C patients (mean: 46 keuro per patient, range: 31,1-72,8). Costs of follow-up after transplant (mean 5.4 keuro per patient, range: 0.87-19.7) varied, with consultation costs higher (p=0.002) in the alcoholic cirrhosis group (0.38 keuro versus 0.3 keuro) and hospitalization more expensive (p=0.0496) for the viral cirrhosis group (6 keuro versus 4,6 keuro). CONCLUSION: We found that length of stay was the most important determinant of hospital costs for liver transplantation and that the indication for transplantation has a slight influence on resource utilization during the first two years after surgery.
OBJECTIVES:Alcoholic cirrhosis and viral (especially hepatitis C) cirrhosis account for 50% of liver transplantation indications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cost of liver transplantation from the hospital's perspective, according to indication. METHODS: This retrospective study at a university hospital included 60 patients (cause of liver disease: alcoholic or hepatitis C-induced cirrhosis) who underwent liver transplantation between 1996 and 1999. All patients received the liver of brain-dead donors. The outcome measure was the cost of hospitalization from admission for transplantation through two years afterwards. The study does not include the costs of pre-transplantation evaluation or organ procurement. To calculate medical costs, we collected data about pharmaceutical use and laboratory tests for each patient. Logistic costs were calculated from French data for diagnosis-related groups, according to length of stay. Consultations and admissions in the two years after transplantation were collected, and their costs calculated. RESULTS: Length of stay for transplantation (mean: 24 days, range 11-66) and costs (average 40 keuro per patient, range: 27.8-75.7, i.e., 52 keuro after escalation to 2006 levels) were similar. The cost of transplantation was higher (p=0.002) for Child C patients (mean: 46 keuro per patient, range: 31,1-72,8). Costs of follow-up after transplant (mean 5.4 keuro per patient, range: 0.87-19.7) varied, with consultation costs higher (p=0.002) in the alcoholic cirrhosis group (0.38 keuro versus 0.3 keuro) and hospitalization more expensive (p=0.0496) for the viral cirrhosis group (6 keuro versus 4,6 keuro). CONCLUSION: We found that length of stay was the most important determinant of hospital costs for liver transplantation and that the indication for transplantation has a slight influence on resource utilization during the first two years after surgery.