Estimation of the direct cost of epilepsy among Sudanese patients attending charity clinic in Omdurman 2014

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common disease with economic impact in form of frequent clinical visits, investigations and management. Objective: To estimate the direct and part of the indirect costs of epilepsy. Design and methods: The study was performed on a case series of medically treated Sudanese patients with epilepsy in a charity clinic. Data on clinical characteristics, utilization of medical services, and costs were collected from 38 patients using a standardized pre-tested format. The patients' approval was obtained as necessary. Results: Direct medical care costs was (2,395 Sudanese Pounds "SDG", 417 American Dollars "USD") per year per patient, of which antiepileptic drugs was the major component (1,587 SDG, 276 USD). Other costs are medical consultations and hospitalization charges (SDG 148, 26 USD), investigations cost (146 SDG, 25 USD), and cost of travel to clinics (514 SDG, 90 USD). Nonmedical direct cost -in form of traditional healers' visits were reported by 13.5% of the patients and estimated to be (1,422 SDG, 251 USD) per patient per year. The indirect cost was estimated for co-patients transportation, which is reported by patients who resides outside the state, making 7.9% of patients, and estimated to be (1,773 SDG, 308USD) per co-patient per year. The overall mean annual cost for epilepsy per patient in our clinic was approximately (2,724 SDG, 474 USD). Conclusion:The economic burden on epilepsy patients is heavy, and the contributors to the cost in Sudan have many similar features and some noteworthy differences with that of other countries.

The Quality of life among adult Sudanese patients with epilepsy

“…[22]The same Group made another study to assess the association of medications adherence with the quality of life and cost of epilepsy among Sudanese epilepsy patients attending the charity clinic and they found that Patients with low adherence to antiepileptics are more likely to have lower quality of life. [22] In 2015 Abbashar Hussein, and his colleagues studied the cosmetic effect of Antiepileptic drugs among Sudanese patients attending charity clinic in Omdurman and they conclude that their patients prioritize medication intake in spite of the presence of cosmetic effect, and this together with the absence of association between quality of life and the cosmetic effect may be attributed to different Sudanese patients' perception to these cosmetic effects from other populations in addition to the unique Sudanese culture. [23] Like what was mentioned in the literature our study showed that patients with tertiary education and above had shown a signi cantly high quality of life, education improves the quality of their lives and leads to broad social bene ts to individuals and society.…”

Challenges Related to Epilepsy Management in Sudan, an Example of Low-Middle Income Country

“…Insurance rarely helps and patients find themselves forced to sell valuable assets like one's cow or shop to cover the expenses, and many find themselves in debt. All of these factors need to be accounted for by the patient and caregivers and affect adherence negatively [11].…”