[Cost evaluation of post-stroke outpatient care: results of a mail survey of patients in the Dijon population-based stroke registry].
BACKGROUND
Outpatient care is an essential stage in management of stroke patients. The aim of this study was to assess its costs - overall, over time, and according to handicap level - during the first five years after a stroke.


METHODS
Data on outpatient healthcare consumption from 1996 through 2001 were collected from a mail survey of 750 patients from the Dijon population-based stroke registry. The costs were assessed with the French health insurance fund medical benefit schedule. Handicap level was measured with the Barthel Index. The statistical analysis compared the patients who responded and those who did not.


RESULTS
In all, 201 patients returned complete questionnaires without missing data. Their mean age was 70.5. Their mean monthly cost for stroke-related medical care was 220 euro [191-250], 58% of which was due to the fees of healthcare personnel. The average cost did not vary significantly over time. The monthly cost did vary significantly according to handicap level, from 157 euro for patients with a Barthel Index=100 to 486 euro for patients with a Barthel index<60.


CONCLUSIONS
This study enabled us to assess the costs of outpatient care, information that is necessary for future cost-effectiveness analyses.
Spieler
Jean-François
JF
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Bichat, Paris. jean-francois.spieler@bch.aphp.fr
de Pouvourville
Gérard
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005251:Fees, Medical; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D017048:Health Care Costs; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000191:economics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors