Direct costs of hypertension treatment - primary study

Abstract

Background Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most widespread diseases of the contemporary civilization in the world. The improper lifestyle of the contemporary society (rich-fat diet, low physical activity, alcohol abuse, increase in salt intake and smoking cigarettes) is the main cause of the progress of arterial hypertension.
In Poland 29% of adult population suffers from arterial hypertension. The results of the nationwide research NATPOL PLUS shows that 62% of subjects take hypotensive medicines systematically, 19% irregularly and almost 19% didn’t adopt the proposed treatment.
The analysis of the costs of arterial hypertension therapy delivers information about the size of the burden of the health system and also the patient himself. The aim of the research was the analysis of the direct costs of pharmacotherapy, medical visits, laboratory tests, the costs of associated with the purchase of ancillary equipment of the patient with arterial hypertension, who was monitored in one of the largest pharmacies of the city of Poznan.
Material and methods The research was conducted initially in 20 patients with diagnosed and treated arterial hypertension in the age group from 37 to 61 years during the 12 months.
Results The total cost of the arterial hypertension therapy was 46,568.02 PLN which means that one person represents a value of 2328.40 PLN.
Conclusions The analysis of the direct costs showed that the pharmacotherapy costs paid by a patient are almost three times higher in comparison with the expenses of the taxpayer (NFZ).
Arterial Hypertension 2010, vol. 14, no 6, pages 460-473