The introduction of economic criteria into the management of arterial disease: an illustration with regard to the socioeconomic consequences of peripheral occlusive arterial disease of the lower limbs
Lebrun, T.; Selke, B.; Sailly, J.C.; Boissier, C.; Mosnier, M.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 23(Suppl 3): S17-S21
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-2446 PMID: 7517471 Document Number: 424025
A survey of studies was used to investigate the economic repercussions of arterial disease; these repercussions included the cost of the disease and its management, and cost/efficacy, cost/utility, and cost/benefit studies of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies. The study presented is an evaluation of the socio-economic consequences of peripheral occlusive arterial disease of the lower limbs (POADLL). The cost of health care was measured by means of a prospective 6-month study of 85 patients recruited in 6 centers. The average cost over the 6-month period was 15,735 FF (1991 francs) ($2,760 U.S.). The 85 patients were classified by age, sex, risk factors, concomitant disease, and how the illness was managed, notably in terms of hospitalization and vascular surgery. The four-group classification was used to calculate an annual management cost for POADLL, which ranged from 9,500 FF ($1,667 U.S.) for a stage II patient (mean age, 66 years) with no major risk factors and not presenting any complication requiring admission to hospital, to 35,000 FF ($6,140 U.S.) for patients (mean age, 62 years) who presented major risk factors and who required vascular surgery during the year.