Cost-effectiveness of exercise stress testing performed as part of executive health examinations

• Published in: Irish journal of medical science Vol. 186; no. 2; pp. 281 - 284
• Main Authors: Shah, S. J., Rehman, A., Shaukat, M. H. S., Awais, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.05.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Brief Report; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Exercise Test - economics; Exercise Test - methods; Family Medicine; Female; General Practice; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Executive health examination; Cardiopulmonary exercise test; Cost-benefit data; Periodic health evaluation
• ISSN: 0021-1265; 1863-4362; 1863-4362
• DOI: 10.1007/s11845-016-1458-y

Background An executive health examination is offered at many hospitals for “busy executives” that comprises of a typical history and examination along with screening tests for major cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Exercise stress tests are also frequently included in such packages, though the appropriateness of such stress testing remains uncertain. Aim To assess the appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of exercise stress tests performed as part of executive health examinations. Materials and methods Records of all individuals who underwent an executive health examination at our institution between January, 2007 and December, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected pertaining to demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, indication of stress testing and results of exercise stress tests. Results Of a total of 1650 subjects who underwent exercise stress tests as part of executive health examinations, indication for exercise stress testing was class IIb or III (as per American College of Cardiology’s appropriateness criteria) in 96.1 % of subjects. The cumulative cost and time burden of testing for these subjects were Rs. 11,419,200/- PKR (≈$114,192 USD) and 2 weeks and 4 days, respectively. Exercise stress tests were not positive for ischemia in any such cases. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, exercise stress tests should not be routinely offered as part of executive health examinations.