A cost analysis of the treatment of patients with post-thrombotic syndrome in Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) occurs in 15-50% of patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and is associated with substantial medical costs. This prospective observational study investigated the costs associated with the treatment of PTS in Brazil.


METHODS
A total of 157 patients diagnosed with PTS and with a history of DVT were recruited from nine centers in Brazil. The costs of investigations and treatment for PTS over a 1-year follow-up period were analyzed. Ninety patients were available for this analysis.


RESULTS
Of the 90 patients, 17 had mild-to-moderate PTS, and 73 had severe PTS. The patients with severe PTS tended to undergo more investigations and hospitalizations for PTS than those with mild-to-moderate PTS, although the differences between the two groups did not reach statistical significance. The mean annual cost of treating PTS in Brazilian Reais was 1214 R dollars (426 US dollars) for mild-to-moderate PTS and 3386 R dollars (1188 US dollars) for severe PTS. The difference was mainly due to significantly higher hospitalization costs in patients with severe PTS (704 R dollars/247 US dollars vs. 0 R dollars; p=0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that PTS imposes substantial demands on health care resources in Brazil. The implementation of effective thromboprophylactic strategies could significantly reduce the incidence of DVT, and hence of PTS, potentially resulting in significant cost savings.
Ramacciotti
Eduardo
E
Hospital e Maternidade Dr Cristóvão da Gama, Santo André, SP, Brazil. eramacciotti@yahoo.com
Gomes
Marise
M
de Aguiar
Eduardo Toledo
ET
Caiafa
Jackson S
JS
de Moura
Liberato Karaoglan
LK
Araújo
Gilson R
GR
Truzzi
Ana
A
Dietrich-Neto
Flavia
F
D001938:Brazil; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D011186:Postphlebitic Syndrome / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications*