title: The cost of warfarin treatment for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Mexico from a collective perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the collective costs of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). VKA drug costs are relatively low, but they necessitate frequent international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring. There are currently minimal data describing the economic impact of this in Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cardiologists provided data on their NVAF patients (n = 400) to quantify direct medical costs (INR testing, appointments, drug costs). A sub-set of patients (n = 301) completed a patient questionnaire providing data to calculate direct non-medical costs (travel and other expenses for attendance at VKA-associated appointments) and indirect costs (opportunity cost and reduced work productivity associated with VKA treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estimated annual direct medical costs totaled $753.6 per patient. Annual direct non-medical and indirect costs were USD$149.8 and $132.1, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recruited patients were those who consulted with a cardiologist during the study period and selected due to inclusion criteria. All had received uninterrupted treatment for 12-24 months. Consequently, the results are not fully generalizable to all VKA treated NVAF patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The true cost of VKA treatment cannot be appreciated by a consideration of drug costs alone. Ongoing monitoring appointments incur additional expenses for both patients and the healthcare system.
authors: a Bayer Pharma AG , Berlin , Germany.
authors: Jean Baptiste
authors: JB
authors: Briere
authors: a Bayer Pharma AG , Berlin , Germany.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Bowrin
authors: b Adelphi Real World , Adelphi Mill , Macclesfield , UK.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Wood
authors: b Adelphi Real World , Adelphi Mill , Macclesfield , UK.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Holbrook
authors: b Adelphi Real World , Adelphi Mill , Macclesfield , UK.
authors: Jenna
authors: J
authors: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin
keywords: Cost of treatment; VKA; anticoagulation; atrial fibrillation; warfarin