Assessment of risk factors, cost of treatment, and therapy outcome in stroke patients: evidence from cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Objectives of this study were to assess risk factors, cost of treatment, and therapy outcomes in stroke patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 130 patients of either sex at a government tertiary care hospital of India. Relevant information was collected from available records and through patient interview after permission from the ethics committee. National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) was used to assess therapy outcome. Analysis of variance and the students t-test were applied appropriately where needed.

Results: Higher body mass index, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, and elevated systolic blood pressure were observed as risk factors in participants. The mean cost of stroke treatment observed at this hospital was Indian Rupee 17,934.71 (€ 218.70; USD 267.67). The direct medical cost was the principal component in stroke treatment that ranged from 6% to 27% of the average six-month salary of patients in different socioeconomic classes. A significant improvement (p < 0.05) in health outcome (NIHSS Score) was observed in participants after treatment.

Conclusion: The data on the cost of stroke treatment from this study may be used for further pharmacoeconomic studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Stroke
• risk factors
• cost of illness
• NIHSS
• therapy outcome

Article highlights

• Stroke is considered as one of the major causes of mortality, physical disability, and financial burden on patients and their families.

• This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a government hospital to address risk factors, cost of illness, and outcome of therapy.

• We included 130 patients in the final analysis, the total mean cost for treating patients hospitalized due to stroke (for 6 months from the date of admission) was found to be INR 17,934.71; € 218.70; USD 267.67. Direct medical cost was INR 10,310.28; € 125.73; USD 153.88 while direct non-medical cost was found to be INR 2699; € 32.91; USD 40.28. Indirect cost of stroke treatment was found to be INR 4924; €60.04; USD 73.

• Mean systolic blood pressure (p< 0.05) in the female was significantly higher as compared to male participants.

• A slight increase in the score at 3 months (compared to baseline score at the time of hospitalization) was observed in male (43.29%) as compared to female (40.93%) participants.

• Current study failed to include patients who received mechanical thrombectomy, as this treatment facility was not available at the studied hospital.

Author contributions

M Chhabra and M S Rathore conducted literature review, contributed in study design and data collection and draft preparation of manuscript. A Sharma helped in data analysis, A K Rathore helped in reviewing the paper and provided assistance in interpretation of data. All authors approve this version of manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.