Cost of neurocysticercosis patients treated in two referral hospitals in Mexico City, Mexico

Abstract

Abstractobjectives To estimate annual costs related to the diagnosis, treatment and productivity losses among patients with neurocysticercosis (NCC) receiving treatment at two referral hospitals, the Instituto Nacional methods Information on presenting clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, hospitalisations, surgical procedures and other treatments received by NCC outpatients was collected from medical charts, and supplemented by an individual questionnaire regarding productivity losses and out-ofpocket expenses related to NCC.results The annual average per-patient direct costs were US$ 503 (95% CI: 414-592) and US$ 438 (95% CI: 322-571) for patients without a history of hospitalisation and/or surgery seen at the INNN and the HE-IMSS, respectively. These costs increased to US$ 2506 (95% CI: 1797-3215) and US$ 2170 (95% CI: 1303-3037), respectively, for patients with a history of hospitalisation and/or surgery. The average annual per-patient indirect costs were US$ 246 (95% CI: 165-324) and US$ 114 (95% CI: 51-178), respectively, using minimum salary wages for individuals not officially employed.conclusions The total annual cost for patients who had and had not been hospitalised and/or undergone a surgical procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of NCC corresponded to 212% and 41% of an annual minimum wage salary, respectively. The disease tends to affect rural socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and creates health disparities and significant economic losses in Mexico.

Mapping the residual incidence of taeniasis and cysticercosis in Colombia, 2009–2013, using geographical information systems: Implications for public health and travel medicine

“…Compared with our study we found that incidence rate for taeniasis and cysticercosis is higher among young people and men that may be more exposed to risk factors as being around infected pigs, eating outside, and low socio-economic conditions as it is previously mentioned [2,44]. …”

“…Moreover the incidence is not yet determined in many regions and countries [43]. A study conducted at Mexico reported that the annual per patient direct cost charged to the social security administration was US$3,109 for patients with a history of hospitalization; also, it reported an annual indirect cost associated to productivity losses and transportation costs for the 224 patients of US$ 17,172 based on the opportunity cost method, US$ 41,841 based on the minimum wage approach, and US$ 44,406 based on the house cleaning approach [44]. In the same way, assessment of life quality in patients with NCC indicates negative changes in physical, mental, and social health [45].…”

Recurrent neurocysticercosis of the frontal lobe. Case report

“…(3,15) The prevalence of NCC is higher in rural areas, where people work with pigs and sanitary conditions are often deficient. (3,5,16) This disease compromises the health of those affected, the livelihood of agricultural communities and their economy due to absenteeism, increase in health costs and community stigmatization. (3,16) According to Flórez-Sánchez et al (7), the prevalence of cysticercosis in Colombia ranges between 0.53% and 40.19% in Caldas and Vaupés, respectively.…”

“…(3,5,16) This disease compromises the health of those affected, the livelihood of agricultural communities and their economy due to absenteeism, increase in health costs and community stigmatization. (3,16) According to Flórez-Sánchez et al (7), the prevalence of cysticercosis in Colombia ranges between 0.53% and 40.19% in Caldas and Vaupés, respectively. In Cauca, Vásquez-Arteaga et al (14) found a seroprevalence of 55.2% in patients with neurological symptoms of five municipal hospitals.…”

Pre-hospitalization, hospitalization, and post-hospitalization costs of patients with neurocysticercosis treated at the Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia (INNN) in Mexico City, Mexico

“…In humans, NCC is associated with numerous clinical manifestations, including epilepsy, hydrocephalus, focal deficits, severe chronic headaches, increased intracranial pressure, dementia, vasculitis, and stroke 8 . These NCC-associated clinical manifestations have been shown to affect the patients’ quality of life leading to poorer physical and mental health and important economic consequences 9 - 12 . Studies conducted in India, Peru, and Mexico have estimated the average direct and indirect costs per NCC patient under care 9 , 13 , 14 , while two studies from the United States and one from Chile evaluated hospital-associated charges for NCC patients 15 - 17 .…”