[Analysis of glaucoma therapy costs in Poland. I--population of the Mazovian District].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to estimate and evaluate costs of glaucoma therapy in Poland in 1998-2000 years.


METHODS
315 patients (591 eyes) including 364 POAG eyes and 227 PACG eyes were evaluated. Progression of the disease was measured in two modes: by changes in the optical nerve disc (c/d) and by IOP level. Duration of the study was 12 months. Total costs (e.g. number of visits, amount of medications used, surgical and laser procedures performed) were calculated on 100 eyes/12 months.


RESULTS
Pharmacological therapy constitutes 40-50% of the total costs in both glaucoma types. Timolol was the mostly prescribed drug in POAG, while pilocarpine led in PACG group. Dorzolamide was on the third place, but it generated the biggest part of total costs. Patients with advanced forms of the disease more frequently saw doctor on visits (average 6 visits per year); patients with elevated IOP (> 21 mm Hg) underwent surgical procedures more commonly than these with optical nerve disc changes (c/d > 0.6). The total costs of the therapy of non-advanced cases amounted 70.243 PLN on the average, while in advanced cases it reached the average of 155.230 PLN.


CONCLUSIONS
1. The total cost of glaucoma therapy depends on progression of the disease. 2. The most cost-generating part is the pharmacological therapy of glaucoma.
Czechowicz-Janicka
K
K
Kliniki Okulistycznej Centrum Medycznego Kształcenia Podyplomowego w Warszawie.
Orlewska
E
E
Tobota
Z
Z
Anielska
E
E
Dyczkowska
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000191:economics; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011044:Poland; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013999:Timolol / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D010862:Pilocarpine; D013999:Timolol; C062765:dorzolamide