LAT software induced savings on medical costs of alcohol addicts' care--results from a matched-pairs case-control study.
Lesch Alcoholism Typology (LAT) is one of the most widely used clinical typologies of alcohol addiction. Study tested whether introduction of LAT software in clinical practice leaded to improved outcomes and reduced costs. Retrospective matched-pairs case-control cost comparison study was conducted at the Regional Addiction Center of the University Clinic in Serbia involving 250 patients during the four-year period. Mean relapse frequency followed by outpatient detoxification was 0.42 ± 0.90 vs. 0.70 ± 1.66 (LAT/non-LAT; p = 0.267). Adding relapses after inpatient treatment total mean-number of relapses per patient was 0.70 ± 1.74 vs. 0.97 ± 1.89 (LAT/non-LAT; p = 0.201). However, these relapse frequency differentials were not statistically significant. Total hospital costs of Psychiatry clinic based non-LAT addicts' care (€ 54,660) were significantly reduced to € 36,569 after initiation of LAT. Mean total cost per patient was reduced almost by half after initiation of LAT based treatment: € 331 ± 381 vs. € 626 ± 795 (LAT/non-LAT; p = 0.001). Mean cost of single psychiatry clinic admission among non-LAT treatment group was € 320 ± 330 (CI 95% 262-378) and among LAT € 197 ± 165 (CI 95% 168-226) (p = 0.019). Mean LAT software induced net savings on psychiatric care costs were € 144 per patient. Total net savings on hospital care including F10 associated somatic co-morbidities amounted to € 295 per patient. More sensitive diagnostic assessment and sub-type specific pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy following implementation of LAT software lead to significant savings on costs of hospital care.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; The Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.
Mihajlo
M
Jakovljevic
Department of Psychiatry; The Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.
Mirjana
M
Jovanovic
Centre for Clinical Pharmacology; Medical Faculty Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia.
Nemanja
N
Rancic
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Benjamin
B
Vyssoki
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; The Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.
Natasa
N
Djordjevic
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software