RESUMEN Introducción: se estima que, en 2050, la población mundial mayor de 65 años se habrá duplicado en relación a la de 2020, pasando del ocho al 16 por ciento. Algunos estudios apuntan a que el 0,3 por ciento del gasto global en salud podría evitarse mediante el adecuado manejo de la polifarmacia. Una asistencia de calidad requiere actividades preventivas de revisión y evaluación sistemática de los tratamientos de larga evolución. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento del de la farmacoterapia en adultos mayores y cómo modificar la farmacodependencia en ellos. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica acerca de la temática de estudio relacionándose 45 artículos obtenidos de las bases de datos de Google Scholar, Google Académico y Scielo. Desarrollo: los tratamientos inútiles o perjudiciales por emplear fármacos de escaso o nulo valor terapéutico, baja seguridad o una prescripción deficiente de probada eficacia y seguridad, obedecen a disímiles causas y refleja los riesgos a que están sometidas las poblaciones por la conducta médica. Una prescripción adecuada debe equilibrar las expectativas de vida del paciente, los objetivos terapéuticos y el tiempo que necesita el fármaco para alcanzar estos objetivos, una vez lo haya hecho se debe desaconsejar su uso. Conclusiones: los profesionales encargados de la prescripción al anciano deben dar cumplimiento a los postulados frente a la polifarmacia, prescripción inapropiada, retomar los pasos de la terapéutica razonada a partir del método científico, la medicina basada en evidencias y las bases farmacológicas que rigen el uso racional de los medicamentos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: it is estimated that by 2050, the world's population over 65 years of age will have doubled from 8 to 16 per cent in 2020. Some studies suggest that 0.3 per cent of global health expenditure could be avoided through the appropriate management of polypharmacy. Quality care requires preventive activities to systematically review and evaluate long-standing treatments. Objective: to describe the behaviour of pharmacotherapy in older adults and how to modify drug dependence in them. Methods: a literature review was carried out on the subject of the study, relating 45 articles obtained from the Google Scholar, Google Scholar and Scielo databases. Development: useless or harmful treatments due to the use of drugs of little or no therapeutic value, low safety or poor prescribing of proven efficacy and safety, are due to a variety of causes and reflect the risks to which populations are subjected by medical conduct. Appropriate prescribing should balance the patient's life expectancy, therapeutic goals and the time needed for the drug to achieve these goals, and once it has done so, its use should be discouraged. Conclusions: professionals in charge of prescribing to the elderly should comply with the postulates against polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing, and take up the steps of reasoned therapy based on the scientific method, evidence-based medicine and the pharmacological bases that govern the rational use of drugs.

Resumen: En el mundo un paciente diabético gasta entre dos y tres veces más que el no diabético. El pie diabético disminuye la calidad de vida, aumenta la morbimortalidad y la carga económica del sistema de salud. Objetivo: comunicar la investigación realizada sobre costos directos en el tratamiento de la úlcera del pie diabético. Material y método: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo de pacientes asistidos en la Unidad de Pie del Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, entre octubre de 2014 y septiembre de 2016. Se estimaron gastos directos del tratamiento ambulatorio e internación a través de información de la historia clínica. El horizonte de tratamiento fue de tres meses. Se calcularon los gastos en unidades reajustables (UR), pesos y dólares. Los gastos se actualizaron a octubre del 2022 utilizando el índice de precios al consumo (IPC), ajustado a la tasa de inflación acumulada. Resultados: incluimos 49 pacientes, 11 mujeres y 38 hombres, edad promedio 61,5 años. El gasto general fue mayor a 400.000 dólares, con el mayor costo en gastos de internación. El gasto total promedio por paciente fue de 8.799 dólares. El tratamiento convencional fue 3.707,93 dólares, la amputación mayor 32.003,61 dólares y amputación menor 12.385,34 dólares. El gasto en internación fue muy superior al del paciente ambulatorio. En emergencia, 28 pacientes gastaron 4.396 dólares. El incremento de costos al año 2022 fue de 37,45%, suponiendo un gasto general de 16.682.993,4 pesos o 410.830,2 dólares. Conclusión: primera evaluación en nuestro país de estimación de gastos en pie diabético. El costo de la úlcera genera una carga económica notoria y en aumento. La gravedad inicial de la úlcera determina ingresos con elevados costes. Los gastos de internación y amputaciones representan la mayor erogación económica.

Abstract: On a global scale, a diabetic patient incurs healthcare expenses that are 2 to 3 times higher than those of a non-diabetic individual. Diabetic foot syndrome reduces the quality of life, increases morbidity and mortality, and places an economic burden on the healthcare system. Objective: Communicating the research conducted on direct costs in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Method: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study of patients treated at the Foot Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas (UDELAR) between October 2014 and September 2016. Direct treatment costs for outpatient care and hospitalization were estimated using information from the medical records. The treatment horizon extended over a period of 3 months. Expenses were calculated in readjustable units, Uruguayan pesos (UYU), and United States dollars (USD). Expenses were updated to October 2022 using the Consumer Price Index (IPC) adjusted for the cumulative inflation rate. Results: 49 patients were included in the study: 11 women and 38 men, average age was 61.5 years old. The overall expenditure exceeded 400,000 USD, with the highest cost attributed to hospitalization expenses. The average total expenditure per patient amounted to 8,799 USD. The cost of conventional treatment was 3,707.93 USD, major amputation represented USD 32,003.61, and minor amputation USD 12,385.34. Hospitalization expenses significantly exceeded those of outpatient care. In the emergency department, 28 patients spent USD 4,396. The increase in costs by the year 2022 amounted to 37.45%, resulting in a total expenditure of UYU 16,682,993.4 (Uruguayan pesos) or USD 410,830.2. Conclusions: It was the first assessment in our country to estimate diabetic foot costs. The cost of ulcer management imposes a significant and increasing economic burden. The initial severity of the ulcer results in hospitalization which implies high associated costs. Hospitalization and amputation costs constitute the most substantial economic expenditure.

Resumo: Em todo o mundo, um paciente diabético gasta entre 2 e 3 vezes mais do que um paciente não diabético. O pé diabético reduz a qualidade de vida, aumenta a morbimortalidade e a carga económica no sistema de saúde. Objetivos: Comunicar os resultados da pesquisa realizada sobre os custos diretos no tratamento das úlceras do pé diabético. Materiais e métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo de pacientes atendidos na Unidade de Pie do Hospital de Clínicas (UDELAR), entre outubro de 2014 e setembro de 2016. Foram estimados gastos diretos com tratamento ambulatorial e internação, por meio de informações do prontuário do paciente. O período de tratamento estudado foi de 3 meses. As despesas foram calculadas em Unidades Ajustáveis, em pesos uruguaios (UYU) e em dólares norte-americanos (USD). As despesas foram atualizadas para outubro de 2022 pelo Índice de Preços ao Consumidor (IPC) ajustado à inflação acumulada. Resultados: Foram incluídos 49 pacientes: 11 mulheres e 38 homens com idade média de 61,5 anos. A despesa global foi superior a US$ 400.000, com o maior custo em despesas de hospitalização. A despesa total média por paciente foi de US$ 8.799. Os custos por tratamento foram: Tratamento convencional US$ 3.707,93 USD, amputação maior US$ 32.003,61 e amputação menor US$ 12.385,34. O gasto com internação foi muito superior ao do ambulatório. No atendimento de emergência 28 pacientes gastaram US$ 4.396. O aumento dos custos até 2022 foi de 37,45%, assumindo uma despesa geral de UY$ 16.682.993,4 ou US$ 410.830,2 USD. Conclusão: Esta é a primeira avaliação de estimativa de gastos com pé diabético realizada no Uruguai. O custo das úlceras gera uma carga económica notável e crescente. A gravidade inicial da úlcera determina internações com custos elevados. As despesas com hospitalização e amputação representam o maior gasto financeiro.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The remission induction treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained unchanged in the resource-limited setting in the Philippines. AML treatment consists of induction chemotherapy followed by high dose consolidation chemotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the Philippines, the Filipino household bears the burden of health care cost of hospitalization expenditure. Insights into the treatment costs becomes an essential requirement as these guides the allocation of resources to scheme health programs. Method: This study involved a retrospective cohort analysis of AML patients who underwent treatment for AML. Review of the statements of account per admission per patient during treatment for remission induction, consolidation, relapsed and refractory disease and best supportive care from 2017 to 2019. Of the 251 eligible patients, 190 patients were included. Result: The mean healthcare expenditure for remission induction chemotherapy (Phase 1) was US $2, 504.78 (Php 125,239.29). While 3 to 4 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy cost an average of US $3,222.72 (Php 162,103.20). For patients who had relapsed and refractory disease, an additional mean cost of US $3,163.32 (Php 159,115.28) and US $2, 914.72 (Php 146,610.55) were incurred, respectively. The average cost of palliative care was US $1,687.00 (Php 84,856.59). Conclusion: The cost of chemotherapy and other therapeutics bear most of the weight of the direct healthcare cost. The cost of AML treatment represents a significant economic burden for patients and the institution. The cost increases as patients proceed through subsequent lines of treatment for induction failure. Existing subsidy for health insurance benefits could still be improved for appropriate source allocation of resources. Introduction (AML resourcelimited resource limited Philippines transplantation programs Method 201 2019 25 19 included Result Phase 1 2 $2 50478 504 78 504.7 Php 125,239.29. 12523929 125,239.29 . 125 239 29 125,239.29) 322272 222 72 $3,222.7 162,103.20. 16210320 162,103.20 162 103 20 162,103.20) 316332 163 32 $3,163.3 159,115.28 15911528 159 115 28 91472 914 914.7 146,610.55 14661055 146 610 55 incurred respectively 168700 687 00 $1,687.0 84,856.59. 8485659 84,856.59 84 856 59 84,856.59) Conclusion institution failure $ 5047 50 7 504. 1252392 125,239.2 12 23 32227 22 $3,222. 1621032 162,103.2 16 10 31633 $3,163. 159,115.2 1591152 15 11 9147 91 914. 146,610.5 1466105 14 61 5 16870 68 0 $1,687. 848565 84,856.5 8 85 125239 125,239. 3222 $3,222 162103 162,103. 3163 $3,163 159,115. 159115 9 146,610. 146610 6 1687 $1,687 84856 84,856. 12523 125,239 322 $3,22 16210 162,103 316 $3,16 159,115 15911 146,610 14661 168 $1,68 8485 84,856 1252 125,23 $3,2 1621 162,10 31 $3,1 159,11 1591 146,61 1466 $1,6 848 84,85 125,2 $3, 162,1 159,1 146,6 $1, 84,8 125, $3 162, 159, 146, $1 84,

INTRODUCTION: Half of the world's 7.9 billion population suffers from oral health conditions. Most are largely preventable and treatable but costs are often unaffordable especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) resolved in 2021 to include oral healthcare interventions in universal healthcare coverage (UHC) programmes. Although the general expenditure on oral healthcare services has been reported by some countries, amounts spent on particularly pharmaceuticals have not been reported AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to report on the prevalence of different types of oral health diseases in patients attending a dental clinic in Windhoek (Namibia) and quantify the pharmaceutical expenditure incurred. METHODS: Records for all patients who visited the dental clinic at KIRH during a six-month period (1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021) were reviewed. Costs associated with the respective pharmaceutical management options for the most common oral conditions were calculated based on the approximated cost for a single treatment course per patient RESULTS: Pharmaceutical expenditure on oral diseases was approximately 0.4% of the hospital's annual budget. From this, 94.6% was due to treatment of dental caries which had a 90.1% prevalence. Prevalence of dental caries among 13-19 years age group (9.5%) was lower than for 1-12 years (18.6%) and 20-64 years (68.2%). Cases for dental caries were fewer for the 65+ years age group (3.8% of total cases) but had the highest prevalence (95.2%) of dental caries then other age groups CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of the pharmaceutical budget spent on treating oral diseases was 0.4%, of which 94.6% was due to dental caries. Promotion of oral healthcare among children may be instrumental in reducing the pharmaceutical costs associated with treatment of dental carries

SUMMARY Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. About one in six deaths is due to this disease. The economic impact of cancer is increasing and has a high prevalence leading to high economic burden for the Health System mainly related to oncologic pharmacotherapies. The objective of this study is to calculate pharmaceutical expenditure savings as a consequence of patient's involvement in Oncology Clinical Trials. Material and methods: Retrospective observational study. In order to determine savings in oncology drugs, cancer treatments of patients participating in oncology clinical trials in April 2018 in a tertiary hospital in Spain were analyzed. Taking into account that the sponsor of the clinical trial provides the study medication free of charge, the costs savings were calculated comparing with the cost that would have supposed to treat the patient if they would have been received was standard regime for the type of tumor under study in clinical practice. Results: The cost avoided in the 50 oncology clinical trials analyzed was 1,564,943.59 euros. The average avoided cost per OCT was 31,298.87 euros, and the average avoided cost per patient was 10,096.41 euros. Conclusions: The participation of patients in oncology clinical trials provides an important economic saving, since it reduces the costs in the acquisition of medicines when they are provided free of charge by the sponsor of the study.

RESUMEN Introducción: El cáncer es la segunda causa de muerte a nivel mundial. Aproximadamente una de cada seis muertes se debe a esta enfermedad. El cáncer es una enfermedad de alta incidencia y el impacto derivado de la atención a pacientes oncológicos supone una importante carga económica para el Sistema Sanitario. El objetivo de este trabajo es calcular el coste evitado en medicamentos derivado de la participación de pacientes en Ensayos Clínicos de Oncología. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se realiza un corte de datos en abril de 2018, se seleccionan todos los EECC activos en oncología y se incluyen los pacientes que habían participado en los mismos independientemente de la fecha de inclusión. Para determinar el coste evitado se calculó la diferencia entre el coste del esquema de tratamiento que el paciente está recibiendo dentro del EC con aportación gratuita de los medicamentos en investigación, y el coste que supondría el esquema de tratamiento que hubiese recibido en el supuesto de no haber participado en dicho EC. Resultados: El coste evitado en los 50 EECC analizados fue de 1.564.943,59 euros. El coste evitado medio por EC fue de 31.298,87 euros, y el coste evitado medio por paciente fue de 10.096,41 euros. Conclusiones: La participación de pacientes en EECC de oncología proporciona un importante ahorro económico, ya que reduce los costos en la adquisición de medicamentos cuando son proporcionados gratuitamente por el promotor del estudio.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Intensive Care Units provide care to patients with clinical conditions that put their lives in danger or with potential to it. Therefore, highly specialized personnel, equipment and medicines are required; which generates high expenses. Objective: Describe the costs of care for critical patients treated in the Intensive Care Unit. Methods: A partial economic evaluation study of cost description was conducted. The overall sample was made up of 455 patients; a sample of 155 was selected by a simple random sampling. Data collection was carried out through the cost records of the Department of Accounting and Statistics, medical histories, card and cost sheet. Results: Daily costs per patient were 656.76 CUP. The radiology department was the one with the highest charges (23069.88 CUP), the most indicated complementary test was the blood count (883). Deep vein catheters were the most used instruments and generated a total expenditure of 144.26 CUP. Electrolytes and antimicrobials were the drug groups that generated the highest costs (49133.95 and 24896.08 CUP, respectively). Hemodialysis generated an expense of 142 441 CUP. Conclusions: Imaging and laboratory studies necessary for diagnosis and follow-up, as well as the use of antimicrobials, electrolytes and equipment and procedures for the care of the critically ill patient present high costs.

RESUMEN Introducción: Las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos brindan atención a pacientes con condiciones clínicas que ponen su vida en peligro o con potencialidad a ello. Por ende, se requiere de personal altamente especializado, equipamiento y medicamentos; lo cual genera altos gastos. Objetivo: Describir los costos de la atención al paciente crítico atendido en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de evaluación económica parcial de descripción de costos. El universo estuvo conformado por 455 pacientes, se seleccionó una muestra de 155 mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple. La recolección de los datos se realizó a través de los registros de costos del Departamento de Contabilidad y Estadística, historia clínica, tarjeta y ficha de costo. Resultados: Los costos diarios por paciente fueron de 656,76 CUP. El departamento de radiología fue el de mayores cargos (23069,88 CUP), el complementario más indicado fue el hemograma (883). Los catéteres de abordaje venoso profundo constituyeron el instrumental más empleado y generó un gasto total de 144,26 CUP. Los electrólitos y los antimicrobianos constituyeron los grupos medicamentosos que mayores gastos generaron (49133,95 y 24896,08 CUP, respectivamente). Las hemodiálisis generaron un gasto de 142441 CUP. Conclusiones: Los estudios imagenológicos y de laboratorio necesarios para el diagnóstico y seguimiento, así como el empleo de antimicrobianos, electrólitos y equipamiento y procederes para la atención al paciente grave presentan elevados costos.

Abstract Objective To assess the monetary savings resulting from a pharmacist intervention on the appropriateness of prescribed drugs in community-dwelling polymedicated (≥8 drugs) elderly people (≥70 years). Method An evaluation of pharmaceutical expenditure reduction was performed within a randomised, multicentre clinical trial. The study intervention consisted of a pharmacist evaluation of all drugs prescribed to each patient using the “Good Palliative-Geriatric Practice” algorithm and the “Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment” criteria (STOPP/START). The control group followed the routine standard of care. A time horizon of one year was considered and cost elements included human resources and drug expenditure. Results 490 patients (245 in each group) were analysed. Both groups experienced a decrease in drug expenditure 12 months after the study started, but this decrease was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (−14.3% vs.−7.7%; p=0.041). Total annual drug expenditure decreased 233.75 €/patient (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 169.83-297.67) in the intervention group and 169.40 €/patient (95%CI: 103.37-235.43) in the control group over a one-year period, indicating that 64.30 € would be the drug expenditure savings per patient a year attributable to the study intervention. The estimated return per Euro invested in the programme would be 2.38 € per patient a year on average. Conclusions The study intervention is a cost-effective alternative to standard care that could generate a positive return of investment.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar los ahorros monetarios resultantes de la intervención de un farmacéutico orientada a mejorar la adecuación de los fármacos prescritos en ancianos (≥70 años) polimedicados (≥8 medicamentos) de la comunidad. Método Se evaluó la reducción del gasto farmacéutico en el marco de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado y multicéntrico. La intervención del estudio consistió en una evaluación de todos los fármacos prescritos a cada paciente utilizando el algoritmo Good Palliative-Geriatric Practice y los criterios Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (STOPP/START). El grupo control siguió la práctica clínica habitual. Se consideró un horizonte temporal de un año y los elementos de costes incluyeron los recursos humanos y el gasto en medicamentos. Resultados Se analizaron 490 pacientes (245 por grupo). La disminución del gasto farmacéutico a los 12 meses fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de intervención que en el grupo control (−14,3% vs.−7,7%; p=0,041). El gasto anual en medicamentos disminuyó 233,75 € por paciente (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 169,83-297,67) en el grupo de intervención y 169,40 € por paciente (IC95%: 103,37-235,43) en el grupo control, indicando un ahorro farmacéutico de 64,30 € por paciente/año atribuible a la intervención del estudio. Se ha estimado un retorno de 2,38 € por cada euro invertido en el programa. Conclusiones La intervención en estudio es una alternativa rentable a la atención estándar, que podría generar un retorno positivo de la inversión.

Abstract Objective To assess the monetary savings resulting from a pharmacist intervention on the appropriateness of prescribed drugs in community-dwelling polymedicated (≥8 drugs) elderly people (≥70 years). Method An evaluation of pharmaceutical expenditure reduction was performed within a randomised, multicentre clinical trial. The study intervention consisted of a pharmacist evaluation of all drugs prescribed to each patient using the “Good Palliative-Geriatric Practice” algorithm and the “Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment” criteria (STOPP/START). The control group followed the routine standard of care. A time horizon of one year was considered and cost elements included human resources and drug expenditure. Results 490 patients (245 in each group) were analysed. Both groups experienced a decrease in drug expenditure 12 months after the study started, but this decrease was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (−14.3% vs.−7.7%; p=0.041). Total annual drug expenditure decreased 233.75 €/patient (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 169.83-297.67) in the intervention group and 169.40 €/patient (95%CI: 103.37-235.43) in the control group over a one-year period, indicating that 64.30 € would be the drug expenditure savings per patient a year attributable to the study intervention. The estimated return per Euro invested in the programme would be 2.38 € per patient a year on average. Conclusions The study intervention is a cost-effective alternative to standard care that could generate a positive return of investment.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar los ahorros monetarios resultantes de la intervención de un farmacéutico orientada a mejorar la adecuación de los fármacos prescritos en ancianos (≥70 años) polimedicados (≥8 medicamentos) de la comunidad. Método Se evaluó la reducción del gasto farmacéutico en el marco de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado y multicéntrico. La intervención del estudio consistió en una evaluación de todos los fármacos prescritos a cada paciente utilizando el algoritmo Good Palliative-Geriatric Practice y los criterios Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions/Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right Treatment (STOPP/START). El grupo control siguió la práctica clínica habitual. Se consideró un horizonte temporal de un año y los elementos de costes incluyeron los recursos humanos y el gasto en medicamentos. Resultados Se analizaron 490 pacientes (245 por grupo). La disminución del gasto farmacéutico a los 12 meses fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de intervención que en el grupo control (−14,3% vs.−7,7%; p=0,041). El gasto anual en medicamentos disminuyó 233,75 € por paciente (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 169,83-297,67) en el grupo de intervención y 169,40 € por paciente (IC95%: 103,37-235,43) en el grupo control, indicando un ahorro farmacéutico de 64,30 € por paciente/año atribuible a la intervención del estudio. Se ha estimado un retorno de 2,38 € por cada euro invertido en el programa. Conclusiones La intervención en estudio es una alternativa rentable a la atención estándar, que podría generar un retorno positivo de la inversión.

BACKGROUND: Violence is a leading public health problem worldwide. Beyond the pain and suffering, violence has a significant economic impact on a country's health, policing and judicial services. Because of the lack of current and comprehensive data in South Africa, local violence-related economic impact studies are largely estimations. Violence-related imaging expenditure, as a component of a public hospital's expenditure, is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to measure the violence-related patient burden on Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital's (PTH) trauma and radiology services, determine the imaging-component cost of violence-related injuries and calculate the financial burden violence has on the hospital's expenditures. METHOD: From the PTH's trauma unit patient registry, 1380 patients with violence-related injuries were consecutively sampled for 6 months ending 31 December 2017. Imaging investigations were documented and categorised according to the South African National Department of Health's 2017 Uniform Patient Fee Schedule (UPFS). Descriptive analysis and cost calculations were performed using the 2017 UPFS tariff schedule and hospital-specific health efficiency indicators - patient-day equivalent and expenditure per patient-day equivalent. RESULTS: Violence-related injuries accounted for 50.64% of all trauma department visits and received a total of 5475 imaging investigations. Violence-related imaging investigations represented 14.81% of all investigations performed by the radiology department in the study period. Overall violence-related admission costs amounted to R35 410 241.85 (8.33% of the hospital's total expenditure), of which 20.08% (R7 108 845.00) was attributed to imaging investigations. CONCLUSION: Violence-related admissions had a high patient and financial burden on PTH. The pinnacle of healthcare cost saving is violence prevention; however, the cost-conscious radiologist could assist with cost saving if responsible and ethical imaging practices are followed.

In this study we have compared two different types of therapies i.e. herbal and allopathic system of therapies for Depression and studied them from the social perspectives. The Hypericum perforatum is compared with Fluoxetine [HCL] in terms of cost-utility and financial savings thereby evaluating its influence on annual expenditure of depressive patients that were randomly selected from 178 union councils of the city of Karachi, Pakistan. For both system of therapies a total of 356 patients were selected by stratified random sampling. Taking frequency of depression as ‘1’ annually with discount rate at 3% for calculating the burden-of-illness in terms of disability-adjusted-life-years. The cost-utility and the budget-impact assessments were carried out to assess incremental-cost-effectiveness-ratio, and the budget-impact-per-onset as well as budget-impact-per-year values. In comparison with the Fluoxetine therapy, the Hypericum perforatum was found to relieve symptoms in 21.47% less cost; owing 29.23% less disability-adjusted-life-years and 21.45% less budget-impact-per-onset as well as budget-impact-per-year. The annual mean incremental-cost-effectiveness-ratio was found to be at 36.95±270.74 (less than GDP per capita threshold of Rs. 38,173.02). Hypericum perforatum provide the optimal utility with less impact on budget of a patient in comparison with the treatment of symptoms of depression with Fluoxetine.

BACKGROUND. Warfarin is a commonly prescribed drug that needs to be monitored regularly. OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the quality of care of patients on warfarin and to determine the cost-effectiveness of this drug in a South African district hospital setting. METHODS. Quality of care was assessed through a structured patient interview, and cost-effectiveness of warfarin was determined by retrospective review of all costs over a 6-month period. RESULTS. A total of 110 participants from the dedicated warfarin clinic at Wentworth Hospital, Durban, were enrolled over a 1 -month period. The median cost of all warfarin-related expenditure was ZAR295.05 per patient per month (pppm) (interquartile range (IQR) 283.42 -333.17), with a mean (standard error of the mean (SEM)) cost of ZAR394.90 (53.03). The median cost for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation was ZAR294.40 pppm (IQR 283.85 - 345.10) and the mean (SEM) cost was ZAR430.54 (116.14), compared with an estimated cost of ZAR545.96 and ZAR673.85 per month for rivaroxaban and dabigatran tablets, respectively. Of the participants interviewed (N=110), 69.1% agreed or strongly agreed that monthly international normalised ratio monitoring frustrated them, 74.5% agreed or strongly agreed that they sometimes wished that they did not have to take warfarin, and 84.5% would be willing to pay for a drug that required less frequent blood tests and clinic visits. CONCLUSIONS. Warfarin still appears to be the most cost-effective drug in our setting, but it significantly affects patients' quality of life. We suggest a prospective head-to-head trial to compare both cost-effectiveness and quality of life of patients on warfarin and the new oral anticoagulants at a district hospital facility.

Abstract Objective: To determine which factors of the socioeconomic and health contexts influence the perception of the satisfaction of the population with the health services. Methods: The data come from the European Health Survey of 2009. In the 22,188 subjects surveyed, the relationship between the perception of satisfaction with the health services received and the individual and contextual variables was studied, applying a multilevel analysis. Results: The factors of the socioeconomic and health contexts that influence satisfaction are: higher rates of low level of studies where the perception of excellence is less likely (odds ratio [OR]: 0.48-0.82) and dissatisfaction is more prevalent (OR: 1.46-1.63). Likewise, the proportion of unsatisfied citizens is lower when per capita expenditure on health services is very high (>1400 €) (OR: 0.49-0.87) and the ratio “primary health care physicians/inhabitants” is high (>60) (OR: 0.500.85). In addition, the prevalence of dissatisfaction describes a positive linear trend with the unemployment rate (OR: 1.12; p = 0.0001) and the relative magnitude of the services sector (OR: 1.03; p = 0.001). By contrast, this linear trend is negative as the Health Care Coverage Ratio increases (OR: 0.88; p = 0.04). Conclusions: The individual factors that determine patient satisfaction are: sex, age, mental health and country of birth. In addition, there are differences in patient satisfaction among the autonomous communities according to socio-economic determinants such as GDP per capita, low-level study rates, unemployment rates or number of inhabitants/doctor's ratio. User satisfaction studies as well as being adjusted for individual variables such as sex, age or health level should also take into account characteristics of the socioeconomic environment of the geographic area where they reside.

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar qué factores de los contextos socioeconómico y sanitario influyen sobre la percepción de la satisfacción de la población con los servicios de salud. Método: Los datos provienen de la Encuesta Europea de Salud de 2009. En los 22.188 sujetos encuestados se estudió la relación entre percepción de la satisfacción con los servicios sanitarios recibidos y las variables tanto individuales como contextuales, aplicando un análisis multinivel. Resultados: Los factores de los contextos socioeconómico y sanitario que influyen sobre la satisfacción son las mayores tasas de población sin estudios, en la cual la percepción de excelencia es menos probable (odds ratio [OR]: 0,48-0,82) y la insatisfacción es más prevalente (OR: 1,46-1,63). Asimismo, la proporción de personas insatisfechas es menor cuando el gasto per cápita en servicios sanitarios es muy elevado (>1400 €) (OR: 0,49-0,87) y la ratio entre médicos de atención primaria de salud y habitantes es alta (>60) (OR: 0,50-0,85). Además, la prevalencia de insatisfacción describe una tendencia lineal positiva con la tasa de paro (OR: 1,12; p = 0,0001) y la magnitud relativa del sector servicios (OR:1,03; p = 0,001). Por el contrario, esta tendencia lineal es negativa conforme aumenta el índice de cobertura de la prestación sanitaria (OR: 0,88; p = 0,04). Conclusiones: Los factores individuales que determinan la satisfacción del paciente son el sexo, la edad, la salud mental y el país de nacimiento. Además, hay diferencias en la satisfacción del paciente entre las comunidades autónomas de acuerdo con determinantes socioeconómicos, como el producto interior bruto per cápita, las tasas de población sin estudios, las tasas de paro o la ratio número de habitantes/consultorios. Los estudios de satisfacción del usuario, además de ajustarse por variables individuales como el sexo, la edad o el nivel de salud, también deberían tomar en consideración características del entorno socioeconómico del área geográfica de residencia.

Abstract Objective: To determine which factors of the socioeconomic and health contexts influence the perception of the satisfaction of the population with the health services. Methods: The data come from the European Health Survey of 2009. In the 22,188 subjects surveyed, the relationship between the perception of satisfaction with the health services received and the individual and contextual variables was studied, applying a multilevel analysis. Results: The factors of the socioeconomic and health contexts that influence satisfaction are: higher rates of low level of studies where the perception of excellence is less likely (odds ratio [OR]: 0.48-0.82) and dissatisfaction is more prevalent (OR: 1.46-1.63). Likewise, the proportion of unsatisfied citizens is lower when per capita expenditure on health services is very high (>1400 €) (OR: 0.49-0.87) and the ratio “primary health care physicians/inhabitants” is high (>60) (OR: 0.500.85). In addition, the prevalence of dissatisfaction describes a positive linear trend with the unemployment rate (OR: 1.12; p = 0.0001) and the relative magnitude of the services sector (OR: 1.03; p = 0.001). By contrast, this linear trend is negative as the Health Care Coverage Ratio increases (OR: 0.88; p = 0.04). Conclusions: The individual factors that determine patient satisfaction are: sex, age, mental health and country of birth. In addition, there are differences in patient satisfaction among the autonomous communities according to socio-economic determinants such as GDP per capita, low-level study rates, unemployment rates or number of inhabitants/doctor's ratio. User satisfaction studies as well as being adjusted for individual variables such as sex, age or health level should also take into account characteristics of the socioeconomic environment of the geographic area where they reside.

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar qué factores de los contextos socioeconómico y sanitario influyen sobre la percepción de la satisfacción de la población con los servicios de salud. Método: Los datos provienen de la Encuesta Europea de Salud de 2009. En los 22.188 sujetos encuestados se estudió la relación entre percepción de la satisfacción con los servicios sanitarios recibidos y las variables tanto individuales como contextuales, aplicando un análisis multinivel. Resultados: Los factores de los contextos socioeconómico y sanitario que influyen sobre la satisfacción son las mayores tasas de población sin estudios, en la cual la percepción de excelencia es menos probable (odds ratio [OR]: 0,48-0,82) y la insatisfacción es más prevalente (OR: 1,46-1,63). Asimismo, la proporción de personas insatisfechas es menor cuando el gasto per cápita en servicios sanitarios es muy elevado (>1400 €) (OR: 0,49-0,87) y la ratio entre médicos de atención primaria de salud y habitantes es alta (>60) (OR: 0,50-0,85). Además, la prevalencia de insatisfacción describe una tendencia lineal positiva con la tasa de paro (OR: 1,12; p = 0,0001) y la magnitud relativa del sector servicios (OR:1,03; p = 0,001). Por el contrario, esta tendencia lineal es negativa conforme aumenta el índice de cobertura de la prestación sanitaria (OR: 0,88; p = 0,04). Conclusiones: Los factores individuales que determinan la satisfacción del paciente son el sexo, la edad, la salud mental y el país de nacimiento. Además, hay diferencias en la satisfacción del paciente entre las comunidades autónomas de acuerdo con determinantes socioeconómicos, como el producto interior bruto per cápita, las tasas de población sin estudios, las tasas de paro o la ratio número de habitantes/consultorios. Los estudios de satisfacción del usuario, además de ajustarse por variables individuales como el sexo, la edad o el nivel de salud, también deberían tomar en consideración características del entorno socioeconómico del área geográfica de residencia.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to calculate the economic loss caused by the treatment of human hydatidosis. For this purpose, a cost analysis of the cases reported in the Junin region of Peru in 2013 was conducted. The total cost (direct and indirect) per patient assisted by the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud-Minsa), the social security system (EsSalud), and private health care was 1,220, 3,051, and 4,090 US dollars (USD), respectively. The mean annual loss considering the number of health care services for uncomplicated cases of human hydatidosis was USD 24,542 in Minsa, USD 369,292 in EsSalud, and USD 130,566 in private health care. Overall, the rate of loss of human productivity was a small proportion. Our findings indicate that hydatidosis imposes a heavy economic burden in the Junin region of Peru.

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la pérdida económica que ocasiona el tratamiento de la hidatidosis humana, para lo cual se realizó un análisis de costos de los casos reportados en la región Junín en Perú, durante el año 2013. El costo total (directo e indirecto) en dólares americanos por paciente atendido por el Ministerio de Salud (Minsa) fue USD 1 220,0; por el seguro social (EsSalud) fue USD 3 051,0 y por la atención privada fue USD 4 090,7. La pérdida media anual según el número de atenciones por hidatidosis humana no complicada fue USD 24 542,0 en el Minsa, USD 369 292,0 en EsSalud y USD 130 566,4 en la atención privada. Las pérdidas de productividad humana constituyen la minoría. Nuestros hallazgos indican que la hidatidosis impone una pesada carga económica en la región Junín.

The objective of the present study was to calculate the economic loss caused by the treatment of human hydatidosis. For this purpose, a cost analysis of the cases reported in the Junin region of Peru in 2013 was conducted. The total cost (direct and indirect) per patient assisted by the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud-Minsa), the social security system (EsSalud), and private health care was 1,220, 3,051, and 4,090 US dollars (USD), respectively. The mean annual loss considering the number of health care services for uncomplicated cases of human hydatidosis was USD 24,542 in Minsa, USD 369,292 in EsSalud, and USD 130,566 in private health care. Overall, the rate of loss of human productivity was a small proportion. Our findings indicate that hydatidosis imposes a heavy economic burden in the Junin region of Peru.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la pérdida económica que ocasiona el tratamiento de la hidatidosis humana, para lo cual se realizó un análisis de costos de los casos reportados en la región Junín en Perú, durante el año 2013. El costo total (directo e indirecto) en dólares americanos por paciente atendido por el Ministerio de Salud (Minsa) fue USD 1 220,0; por el seguro social (EsSalud) fue USD 3 051,0 y por la atención privada fue USD 4 090,7. La pérdida media anual según el número de atenciones por hidatidosis humana no complicada fue USD 24 542,0 en el Minsa, USD 369 292,0 en EsSalud y USD 130 566,4 en la atención privada. Las pérdidas de productividad humana constituyen la minoría. Nuestros hallazgos indican que la hidatidosis impone una pesada carga económica en la región Junín.