[Relationship between research funding in the Spanish National Health System and the burden of disease].
BACKGROUND
The Carlos III Health Institute (Instituto de Salud Carlos III - Spain) allocates funding to health research support in the Spanish National Health System (NHS). This study aimed to analyse the correlation of health research fund allocations in the NHS and the burden of disease in Spanish population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. Burden of disease measures were calculated: disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs) and mortality by cause. A correlation analysis (Spearman s Rho) was applied to test the association between these measures and 2006/2007 health research funding.


RESULTS
Using disease categories (n=21), the correlation between funding and disease-burden measures is: DALY (r=0.72; p <0.001), mortality (r=0.60; p=0.004) and YLL (r=0.56; p=0.008). By disease-specific subcategories (n=52): DALY (r=0.55; p<0.001), mortality (r=0.54; p <0.001) and YLL (r=0.55; p <0.001). Malignant neoplasms, neuropsychiatric conditions, cardiovascular diseases and infectious and parasitic diseases receive the greater health research funding support. However, the higher funds allocated per DALY lost ratios were for blood and endocrine disorders, infectious and parasitic diseases and congenital anomalies.


CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis suggests that NHS research funding is positive moderately high-associated with the burden of disease in Spain, although there exists certain diseases categories that are over or under-funded in relation to their burden generated. In health planning, burden of disease studies contributes with useful information for setting health research priorities.
Catalá López
Ferrán
F
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, C/ Sinesio Delgado 6, Pabellón 13. 28029 Madrid. fcatala@isciii.es
Alvarez Martín
Elena
E
Gènova Maleras
Ricard
R
Morant Ginestar
Consuelo
C
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D005376:Financial Management; D006801:Humans; D013030:Spain