Panagiota Naoum1, Ioannis Topkaroglou2, Dimitrios Kitsonis3, Anastasios Skroumpelos1, Kostas Athanasakis1, Christos Iatrou4, John Boletis5, John Kyriopoulos1. 1. Department of Health Economics, National School of Public Health, Athens - Greece. 2. Agios Panteleimon General Hospital of Nikea-Piraeus, Athens - Greece. 3. Department of Accommodation Facilities For Hosting Asylum Applicants or Third Country Nationals Belonging to Vulnerable Groups, First Reception Service, Ministry of the Interior, Athens - Greece. 4. Center for Nephrology, G. Papadakis, Nikea Hospital, Athens - Greece. 5. Nephrology Department and Renal Transplantation Unit, Laiko Hospital, Athens - Greece.
Abstract
PURPOSE: More than 3 million people worldwide suffer from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Even though regular hemodialysis is considered very costly, it is still the most commonly used method of treatment in Greece. The aim of this study is to provide a current estimate of the annual patient cost for ESRD-related regular hemodialysis, especially during a period of economic instability for Greece. METHODS: Data was collected from 113 anonymous patient files from 3 dialysis units. The cost analysis includes the following parameters: hospitalization, disposable supplies, medication, meals, contaminants, human resources and equipment depreciation/utilization. RESULTS: The cost of a regular hemodialysis session was estimated at €177.12. Human resources account for 43.53% of the hemodialysis cost, while expendable supplies and medication account for 24.79% and 21.16%, respectively. The total annual cost of ESRD per patient was calculated at €34,012.31, which breaks down into €27,630.72 (81.24%) for hemodialysis, €4,800.64 (14.11%) for hospitalization, €1,454.84 (4.28%) for laboratory tests and €126.11 (0.37%) for microsurgery. CONCLUSIONS: ESRD entails a significant economic burden for the Greek health care system. In a current context of ongoing austerity measures, which severely pressure the health care budget, further research should be performed in order to identify possible ways to reduce costs and improve management of the disease.
PURPOSE: More than 3 million people worldwide suffer from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Even though regular hemodialysis is considered very costly, it is still the most commonly used method of treatment in Greece. The aim of this study is to provide a current estimate of the annual patient cost for ESRD-related regular hemodialysis, especially during a period of economic instability for Greece. METHODS: Data was collected from 113 anonymous patient files from 3 dialysis units. The cost analysis includes the following parameters: hospitalization, disposable supplies, medication, meals, contaminants, human resources and equipment depreciation/utilization. RESULTS: The cost of a regular hemodialysis session was estimated at €177.12. Human resources account for 43.53% of the hemodialysis cost, while expendable supplies and medication account for 24.79% and 21.16%, respectively. The total annual cost of ESRD per patient was calculated at €34,012.31, which breaks down into €27,630.72 (81.24%) for hemodialysis, €4,800.64 (14.11%) for hospitalization, €1,454.84 (4.28%) for laboratory tests and €126.11 (0.37%) for microsurgery. CONCLUSIONS:ESRD entails a significant economic burden for the Greek health care system. In a current context of ongoing austerity measures, which severely pressure the health care budget, further research should be performed in order to identify possible ways to reduce costs and improve management of the disease.
Authors: Alicia García-Testal; Francisco José Martínez-Olmos; Jose Antonio Gil-Gómez; Javier Villalón-Coca; Rafael Ortiz-Ramón; Alicia Cana-Poyatos; Rafael García-Maset; Eva Segura-Ortí Journal: BMC Nephrol Date: 2022-06-27 Impact factor: 2.585