Socioeconomic burden of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in endemic areas of Anhui Province, eastern China

Abstract

Understanding the socioeconomic burden of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is important for making decisions on health resources allocation. This study aimed to assess the economic burden of patients with this syndrome in endemic areas of the Anhui Province in 2018. A total of 114 patients were recruited, and the median age was 63.5 years, 62 (54.4%) were female, 97 (85.1%) were farmers, 108 (94.7%) were survival patients, and 71 (62.3%) had a family monthly income less than $453.3. The median times of hospital visits and hospitalizations of patients were three times, and the median lost work days of these patients, caregivers and visitors were 14.5 days, 14.5 days and 7.5 days, respectively. The median direct costs of the patient were $3,761.6, and the median indirect costs were $508.3. Taking direct and indirect costs into consideration, the median total economic costs of patients were $4,323.9, and the total annual cost of 2018 was $1,396,913.6. Although 113 (99.1%) patients had medical insurance, only 25.8% of costs were covered by reimbursement, and the total cost paid for by the patients and their families was $1,041,073.6 in 2018. Our findings revealed that the patients and their families had a significant economic burden, and preventive measures should be strengthened in endemic areas. The findings also provided baseline data for assessing the cost‐effectiveness of the vaccines or anti‐viral drugs in the near future in China.

Clinical Progress and Risk Factors for Death from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome: A Multihospital Retrospective Investigation in Anhui, China

“…Our previous study reported that the medical history of SFTS cases included one time of outpatient and two times of inpatients. 19 This study further demonstrated that fatal cases had shorter durations of hospitalization and clinical course than nonfatal cases. One of the reasons for this might be the rapid worsening of the clinical course in fatal cases, with most patients dying in the multi-organ dysfunction phase.…”

NLR, A Convenient Early-Warning Biomarker of Fatal Outcome in Patients With Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

“…A previous study had indicated that from 2010 to 2017, a total number of 1,506 SFTS cases and 7 humanto-human transmissions have been reported in Anhui Province (Gong et al, 2018). According to previous findings in Anhui Province, the economic burden was significantly high for patients with SFTS and their families, and effective preventive measures are necessary for endemic areas (Gong et al, 2019).…”

Modelling the Transmission Dynamics of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in Jiangsu Province

“…And it is often at rest in winter, begins to increase in spring, and peaks by July-August, and the peak incidence rate of SFTS in Jiangsu Province has increased to some extent in recent years compared with 2011-2014. The R 2 and P values of the model fitting results for 2011 -2019 were listed in Table 3, and it can see that the model fitting results for all years were good and P was significant. (P < 0.05).…”

“…Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease infected by a novel bunyavirus, which is called Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) [1]. The clinical manifestations of human infection have been characterized by high fever, a drastic reduction of platelets and leukocytes and hemorrhage [2,3,4,5]. The clinical course is mainly divided into three stages: fever, multiple nerve dysfunction and recovery [1,3,4,6,7].…”

“…Additionally, SFTS has not only brought the health burden, but also a certain amount of economic pressure. There was a study showing that patients and their families should pay nearly $3,158.4for their treatment, which is almost equal to the disposable income of rural residents in Anhui Province in 2017 [2]. Obviously, SFTS has become a significant threat to public health.…”