Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of chronic kidney disease patients: a study on cost of illness

Abstract

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is an important public health problem due to its high prevalence , morbidity and mortality. It is associated with high expenditure among indian patients. Higher stages of CKD have higher economic burden especially on the lower middle class. Hemodialysis, patients habits like alcohol consumption and smoking, treatment support by employer and patients with co morbid conditions and ESRD was found to effect the direct cost of the treatment.. Although CKD is generally Progressive and irreversible patients are advised regarding nutrition, life style changes and compliance with treatment might slow progression, enabling patients to live longer without complication and need for renal replacement therapy. Major barrier in the successful treatment of CKD is high cost of hemodialysis and medication which is difficult for the patient to afford. The main objective is to analyse the direct cost involved in treating Chronic Kidney disease patients in tertiary care hospital. Reimbursement, patients dialysis , social habits and comorbid conditions were found to have a significant effect on the direct cost of treatment.