Miriam Sobrino1, Francisco J Muñoz-Bellido2, Eva Macías3, Milagros Lázaro-Sastre1, Sonia de Arriba-Méndez3, Ignacio Dávila4. 1. Allergy Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain. 2. Allergy Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain; Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. University of Salamanca, Spain. Electronic address: fjmbellido@saludcastillayleon.es. 3. Allergy Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain; Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. University of Salamanca, Spain. 4. Allergy Service, University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain; Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. University of Salamanca, Spain; Asthma, Allergic and Adverse Reactions (ARADyAL) Network for Cooperative Research in Health of Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Salamanca University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the costs associated with evaluation of β-lactam allergy in children labeled as allergic. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective year-long real life observational study designed to evaluate all pediatric patients with suspected β-lactam allergy who consulted for allergy evaluation. Direct and indirect costs were systematically recorded. Direct healthcare costs were calculated by taking into account the number of visits and all complementary and diagnostic tests performed. Direct nonhealthcare costs were calculated by considering the number of visits and the kilometers from their homes to the clinic. Finally, indirect costs were evaluated by considering the absenteeism of parents or other companions who took the children to the clinic. RESULTS: A total of 40 children with suspected allergy to β-lactams were evaluated in our outpatient clinic from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018. Total direct healthcare costs were $5038.03, with an average cost per patient of $125.95. Direct nonhealthcare costs reached $901.87 ($22.55 per patient) and indirect nonhealthcare costs reached $6384.35 ($159.61 per patient). The total cost was $12 324.25, a cost of $308.11 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Elective evaluation of β-lactam allergy and delabeling children who are not allergic is not expensive. In addition, it could save future expenses because of an unnecessary lifelong use of alternative antibiotics that are usually more expensive, less effective, and more frequently associated with antimicrobial resistance and different side effects.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the costs associated with evaluation of β-lactam allergy in children labeled as allergic. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective year-long real life observational study designed to evaluate all pediatric patients with suspected β-lactam allergy who consulted for allergy evaluation. Direct and indirect costs were systematically recorded. Direct healthcare costs were calculated by taking into account the number of visits and all complementary and diagnostic tests performed. Direct nonhealthcare costs were calculated by considering the number of visits and the kilometers from their homes to the clinic. Finally, indirect costs were evaluated by considering the absenteeism of parents or other companions who took the children to the clinic. RESULTS: A total of 40 children with suspected allergy to β-lactams were evaluated in our outpatient clinic from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018. Total direct healthcare costs were $5038.03, with an average cost per patient of $125.95. Direct nonhealthcare costs reached $901.87 ($22.55 per patient) and indirect nonhealthcare costs reached $6384.35 ($159.61 per patient). The total cost was $12 324.25, a cost of $308.11 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Elective evaluation of β-lactam allergy and delabeling children who are not allergic is not expensive. In addition, it could save future expenses because of an unnecessary lifelong use of alternative antibiotics that are usually more expensive, less effective, and more frequently associated with antimicrobial resistance and different side effects.