Economic evaluation of stroke treatment in Italy: systematic literature review

ABSTRACT

Background: Stroke is one of the most significant social and health issues at the global level. In industrialized countries, stroke is the main cause of disability, the second cause of dementia and the third cause of death after cardiovascular diseases and cancer, accounting for 10–12% of all deaths. The incidence of stroke increases progressively with age: 75% of cerebrovascular events affect people over 65 years old (with a predominance in males).

Objective: The aim of this paper was to review the literature on economic evaluation of stroke treatment from 2007 to 2016. The research question is: ‘What is the economic evaluation more used?’

Methods: The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. We systematically reviewed studies published since 2007. The databases used were PubMed and Scopus.

Results: A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 4 are in Italian and 12 are in English. Twelve articles were published between 2009–2014, two in 2007, one in 2015 and one in 2016. Eleven articles performed cost analyses and economic assessments referring only to an Italian context while the other articles considered both an Italian and international context. Thanks to the identification of the most used economic technique it is possible to establish the treatment to be privileged in the management of the stroke, both at a preventive and rehabilitative level.

Conclusions: The type of analysis mainly used was the Cost-effectiveness analysis as a demonstration of the importance given to the incremental costs arising from health technologies introduced to contain the debilitating effects of strokes.

Quantifiable savings could be created by reducing the number of beds needed to assist in the case of stroke events. and, as a result of minor disability and dependence, in terms of reduction of rehabilitative, assistance and social expenditures in the long term.

KEYWORDS:

• Management
• stroke
• costs
• healthcare
• cost effectiveness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Patrizia Belfiore is researcher in management. The main research topics are health and sport management.