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Kanyarat Katanyoo,1,2 Usa Chaikledkaew,3,4 Montarat Thavorncharoensap,3,4 Arthorn Riewpaiboon3 1Social, Economic and Administrative Pharmacy (SEAP) Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Social and Administrative Pharmacy Division, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Mahidol University Health Technology Assessment (MUHTA) Graduate Program, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Usa ChaikledkaewSocial and Administrative Pharmacy Division, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, 447 Sri-Ayudhaya Road, Bangkok, ThailandTel +662-644-8678 ext 5317Fax +662-644-8694Email usa.chi@mahidol.ac.thPurpose: We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic tests, ie, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET⁄CT) for para-aortic lymph node detection (PALND), in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients (stages IB3–IVA) with or without laparoscopic lymphadenectomy (LL) compared with no investigation (NoIx) based on provider and societal perspectives during 5 years.Patients and Methods: Hybrid decision tree and Markov models were conducted to compare the cost and utility of six interventions including: 1) CT without LL, 2) CT with LL, 3) MRI without LL, 4) MRI with LL, 5) PET/CT without LL, and 6) PET/CT with LL compared with NoIx. All clinical parameters were obtained from published studies. Costs were presented in year 2019 values. Direct medical costs were retrieved from hospital database, while direct non-medical costs and utility were collected from interviewing 194 LACC patients during June to December 2019. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were used to investigate parameter uncertainties.Results: Total costs of NoIx were $8026 and $11,444 from provider and societal perspectives, respectively, and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was 3.70. NoIx was more effective and less costly. When six strategies were compared with NoIx, more additional costs were shown with $1835, $1735, $2022, $1987, $4002, and $4176 for CT without LL, CT with LL, MRI without LL, MRI with LL, PET/CT without LL, and PET/CT with LL, whereas QALYs were decreased with 0.07, 0.08, 0.07, 0.08, 0.05, and 0.07, respectively. Sensitivity analyses strengthened the benefit of NoIx. The most significant parameter was treatment outcomes of patients with PALN metastasis.Conclusion: NoIx or receiving basic clinical staging was a dominant option when compared with CT, MRI, and PET/CT for PALND before providing the treatment for LACC patients.Keywords: cost-utility analysis, stage IIIC2 cervical cancer, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, PET/CT

Trung Quang Vo,1,2 Usa Chaikledkaew,1,3 Minh Van Hoang,4 Arthorn Riewpaiboon1 1Department of Pharmacy, Division of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Department of Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP), Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand; 4Hanoi School of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam Abstract: Influenza is a malady related to the human respiratory system, and its influenza-like illness (ILI) can cause an economic and social burden, especially among children and the elderly. This study was conducted to estimate the cost of illness based on a social perspective of ILI cases. A prospective study was conducted between February and March of 2016 in pharmacies, private clinics at Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai Province, and Ho Chi Minh City, and Hospital of Tropical Diseases. Demographic and clinical information were collected by face-to-face interview. Direct costs (e.g., diagnosis and therapeutics) and indirect costs (e.g., cost of day loss) are included as treatment costs. The average cost of treatment associated with ILI was US$ 88.09 per case for all age groups; direct non-medical cost was higher compared to direct medical cost: 39.5% in pharmacies, 71.1% in clinics, and 64.2% in hospital. The indirect cost was US$27.49 per episode. The average total cost for children below 14 years old was much higher than that for the other age groups. The cost of illness of ILI was, therefore, the reason for the economic burden of influenza patients and their families. This study provides a database for future research and programs, and policies that can be adopted for influenza or ILI in Vietnam. Keywords: influenza, influenza-like illness, economic burden, cost of illness, pharmacy, clinic, hospital, Vietnam

Objective: This study aimed to develop a drug cost model for injuries due to road traffic accidents for patients receiving treatment at a regional hospital in Thailand. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective, descriptive analysis. The cases were all from road traffic accidents receiving treatment at a public regional hospital in the fiscal year 2004. Results: Three thousand seven hundred and twenty-three road accident patients were included in the study. The mean drug cost per case was USD18.20 (SD=73.49, median=2.36). The fitted drug cost model had an adjusted R2 of 0.449. The positive significant predictor variables of drug costs were prolonged length of stay, age over 30 years old, male, Universal Health Coverage Scheme, time of accident during 18:00-24:00 o’clock, and motorcycle comparing to bus. To forecast the drug budget for 2006, there were two approaches identified, the mean drug cost and the predicted average drug cost. The predicted average drug cost was calculated based on the forecasted values of statistically significant (p

Abstract Background Hemoglobin E beta-thalassemia (β-thalassemia/Hb E) has a variable severity, and the cost of treatment has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the societal cost of caring for children with β-thalassemias in Thailand. The study was designed as a prevalence-based cost-of-illness analysis in a societal perspective. Medical records from three public hospitals of children aged 2-18 years with β-thalassemia/Hb E and homozygous β-thalassemia were reviewed for direct medical cost determination. For direct non-medical cost and indirect cost, a family member was interviewed. Findings It was found that 201 patients with β-thalassemia/Hb E (91%) and homozygous β-thalassemia (9%) were recruited for this study. Ninety-two (46%) were severe thalassemia and 109 (54%) were mild to moderate severity. The annual average cost of treatment was US$950; 59% was direct medical cost, 17% direct non-medical cost, and 24% indirect cost. The costs were differentiated by some potential predictors. Significant predictor variables were: hospital, health insurance scheme, blood transfusion pattern, and iron chelation drug use. Conclusions The average annual cost per patient was calculated, and the cost model was estimated. These would be applied for national planning, economic evaluation of treatment and prevention interventions, and budget impact analysis.

Background: In Burundi, the International Diabetes Federation estimated the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) as high as 2.4% in adults aged between 20 and 79 years old. Thus, the healthcare expenditure for the treatment of diabetic patients is considerably high. Objective: This study explores the economic burden of type 2 DM and its cost drivers at a tertiary hospital in 2018. It included adult type 2 DM patients who received treatment from a tertiary hospital (Hospital Prince Regent Charles) in 2018. In this study, 81 patients were included. Methods: Data on illness treatment and complications were collected through patient interviews and by reviewing patients’ medical and financial records. A stepwise multiple linear regression model was used to explore factors affecting the cost of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The average total cost per patient per year was estimated at $2621.06. The fitted cost model had an adjusted R2 of 0.427, which explained up to 43% of the variation in the total cost. The results suggest primary cost drivers such as treatment regimen, duration of the disease, payment method, and number of complications. Conclusion: The findings confirm the profound economic burden of type 2 DM and the need to improve patient care and prevent disease progression. The establishment of a special clinic for patients with diabetes is recommended, as is financial support for underprivileged patients. A specific focus on cost drivers could help establish appropriate disease management programs to control the costs for type 2 diabetes patients.

Background: Amid the increasing trend and huge impact of mental illness, psychosocial support (PSS) has been asserted to support individuals' recovery. Unfortunately, about 80% of affected people cannot access care as needed. Meanwhile, digital technology has a considerable role in closing service gaps. Aims: This convergent parallel mixed methods study examines existing mental health service utilization, users' needs for PSS, and feasibility of online PSS development. Methods: A cross-sectional interview survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire at a super tertiary psychiatric hospital in Thailand from March to May 2023, with three groups of service users, having self-perceived conditions/diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 100), mood disorders (n = 84), and others including alcohol and substance use, anxiety and personality disorders (n = 52). Four focus group discussions with three user groups (n = 16) and one multidisciplinary provider group (n = 7) were parallelly executed. Quantitative and qualitative data were convergently analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic and content analysis. Results: Critical shortcomings of PSS were indicated by 75.8% of user participants. Six common types of self-determined PSS were psychoeducational program, support group, skills training, counseling, supported employment, and complimentary therapy. While psychoeducational program was feasible, support group, and counseling were possibly featured within the 'all-at-once' online intervention development. Conclusions: PSS development based on users' needs can promote clinical and personal recovery outcomes, and close the service gaps. Users with mood disorders have the potential for online interventions. Peer-provider formalization, co-production approach, community engagement, digital literacy, infrastructures, and equal access factors are crucial for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine patient-level cost of acute and sub-acute inpatient services and to examine factors predicting cost for patients requiring sub-acute care. Methods: The study design was prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach. Subjects were 2,419 inpatients requiring sub-acute care in 2 regional hospitals. The costs of services were calculated employing standard costing methods. Inpatient costs were prospectively recorded from July 2008 to February 2009. Micro-costing approach was employed under a provider perspective. Paired-t test was used to evaluate the significant difference. Results: The average cost during the sub-acute phase was much lower than that in the acute phase (14,877 vs. 23,089 Baht). Nursing service constituted the highest cost (42.6%) in sub-acute phase, whereas direct rehabilitation costs was only 2%. Burn with low physical function had the highest average costs (67,243 Baht). The average cost was significantly higher than the average charge (p

OBJECTIVE: To explore the cost-effectiveness of parenteral artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria in children and its potential impact on hospital budgets. METHODS: The costs of inpatient care of children with severe malaria were assessed in four of the 11 sites included in the African Quinine Artesunate Malaria Treatment trial, conducted with over 5400 children. The drugs, laboratory tests and intravenous fluids provided to 2300 patients from admission to discharge were recorded, as was the length of inpatient stay, to calculate the cost of inpatient care. The data were matched with pooled clinical outcomes and entered into a decision model to calculate the cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted and the cost per death averted. FINDINGS: The mean cost of treating severe malaria patients was similar in the two study groups: 63.5 United States dollars (US$) (95% confidence interval, CI: 61.7-65.2) in the quinine arm and US$ 66.5 (95% CI: 63.7-69.2) in the artesunate arm. Children treated with artesunate had 22.5% lower mortality than those treated with quinine and the same rate of neurological sequelae: (artesunate arm: 2.3 DALYs per patient; quinine arm: 3.0 DALYs per patient). Compared with quinine as a baseline, artesunate showed an incremental cost per DALY averted and an incremental cost per death averted of US$ 3.8 and US$ 123, respectively. CONCLUSION: Artesunate is a highly cost-effective and affordable alternative to quinine for treating children with severe malaria. The budgetary implications of adopting artesunate for routine use in hospital-based care are negligible.