[Costs of health care resources of ambulatory-care patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in Spain].
BACKGROUND
The annual consumption and costs of the health care resources used by ambulatory Alzheimer's disease patients were estimated. Patients were classified according to the degree of severity of the disease using Folstein's Mini Mental State Examination scale. The sociodemographic characteristics of both patients and their careers were described.


METHODS
Patients with an established diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease according to NINCDS/ADRDA criteria were included in the study. Information on the use of health and non-health care resources consumed during the last 12 months was recorded. The following scales were administered: MMSE, Global Deterioration Scale, Rapid Disability Rating Scale and Hachinski's scale modified by Rosen. Finally, the time dedicated by careers to look after the Alzheimer's disease patients was recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 337 patients were considered to be valid for the analysis with an average of 72 (8.4) years and with an average duration of the disease of 48.3 (35.7) months. The average annual cost per patient was 3,194,664 ptas. The average cost per patient in the group with MMSE > 18 was 2,119,889 ptas; 2,723,159 ptas. in those with MMSE 12-18 and 3,676,707 ptas. in the MMSE < 12 group.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with Alzheimer's disease an increase in cost directly related to functional cognition state was observed. The most important cost component was that imputed to value time dedicated by principal career.
Boada
M
M
Servico de Neurología, Hospital de la Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona. 7287mpr@comb.es
Peña-Casanova
J
J
Bermejo
F
F
Guillén
F
F
Hart
W M
WM
Espinosa
C
C
Rovira
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D017028:Caregivers / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000191:economics; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000191:economics; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013030:Spain; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000191:economics