Philippe Snozzi1, Patricia R Blank2, Thomas D Szucs3. 1. University of Zurich, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Economics, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: snozzi@gmail.com. 2. University of Zurich, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Economics, Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few useful empirical data on stroke are available for Switzerland. The aim of this study was to collect data on the use of medical resources and associated costs among stroke patients. Special attention was paid to possible correlations between epidemiologic indicators, sociodemographic variables, resource use, and costs. METHODS: We carried out a representative population survey of 19,123 households in the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland with computer-assisted telephone interviews in 2005. Detailed sociodemographic data and information on the use of resources were collected from 509 individuals aged 15-75 years who had cared for a stroke patient in the past 1-2 years. RESULTS: In the last 1-2 years, a total of 7.8% of households were affected by stroke in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, whereas only 4.3% of households were affected in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, P < .001). Based on the length of stay, the total cost of inpatient treatment and rehabilitation during the average 1-year observation period was estimated at €40,090. Stroke therefore caused approximately 2.9% of all inpatient costs in Switzerland. Patients with supplementary insurance were treated more frequently as inpatients than patients with statutory insurance (OR: 2.14, P = .014), and patients with a low household income were referred less frequently to an inpatient rehabilitation facility than those with medium or high household income (OR = .58, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms the medical and economic importance of stroke and supplements the existing European data. Further research is needed in regard to incidence differences in stroke across Switzerland. Patients without supplementary insurance or with low household income were less likely to receive inpatient treatment.
BACKGROUND: Few useful empirical data on stroke are available for Switzerland. The aim of this study was to collect data on the use of medical resources and associated costs among strokepatients. Special attention was paid to possible correlations between epidemiologic indicators, sociodemographic variables, resource use, and costs. METHODS: We carried out a representative population survey of 19,123 households in the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland with computer-assisted telephone interviews in 2005. Detailed sociodemographic data and information on the use of resources were collected from 509 individuals aged 15-75 years who had cared for a strokepatient in the past 1-2 years. RESULTS: In the last 1-2 years, a total of 7.8% of households were affected by stroke in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, whereas only 4.3% of households were affected in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, P < .001). Based on the length of stay, the total cost of inpatient treatment and rehabilitation during the average 1-year observation period was estimated at €40,090. Stroke therefore caused approximately 2.9% of all inpatient costs in Switzerland. Patients with supplementary insurance were treated more frequently as inpatients than patients with statutory insurance (OR: 2.14, P = .014), and patients with a low household income were referred less frequently to an inpatient rehabilitation facility than those with medium or high household income (OR = .58, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms the medical and economic importance of stroke and supplements the existing European data. Further research is needed in regard to incidence differences in stroke across Switzerland. Patients without supplementary insurance or with low household income were less likely to receive inpatient treatment.
Authors: Bettina M Zimmermann; Insa Koné; Michael Rost; Agnes Leu; Tenzin Wangmo; Bernice S Elger Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2019-05-08 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Shilpa Tyagi; Gerald Choon-Huat Koh; Nan Luo; Kelvin Bryan Tan; Helen Hoenig; David B Matchar; Joanne Yoong; Eric A Finkelstein; Kim En Lee; N Venketasubramanian; Edward Menon; Kin Ming Chan; Deidre Anne De Silva; Philip Yap; Boon Yeow Tan; Effie Chew; Sherry H Young; Yee Sien Ng; Tian Ming Tu; Yan Hoon Ang; Keng He Kong; Rajinder Singh; Reshma A Merchant; Hui Meng Chang; Tseng Tsai Yeo; Chou Ning; Angela Cheong; Yu Li Ng; Chuen Seng Tan Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2018-10-25 Impact factor: 2.655