An economic study of neuro-oncological patients in a large developing country: a cost analysis

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 80; no. 11; pp. 1149 - 1158
• Main Authors: Paiva, Aline Lariessy Campos, Vitorino-Araujo, João Luiz, Lovato, Renan Maximilian, Costa, Guilherme Henrique Ferreira da, Veiga, José Carlos Esteves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda 01.11.2022; Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO)
• Subjects: Adult; Brain cancer; brain neoplasms; Brain tumors; Brazil; Costs and Cost Analysis; Developing Countries; Economic analysis; Glioma; health care costs; Hospitalization; Humans; International cooperation; LDCs; Meningioma; Mortality; NEUROSCIENCES; Neurosurgery; Neurosurgical Procedures; Original; Original Article; Patients; PSYCHIATRY; Public health; Resource allocation; Brazil; Neoplasias Encefálicas; Health Care Costs; Glioma; Custos de Cuidados de Saúde; Meningioma; Brain Neoplasms
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 1678-4227
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758649

Abstract Background  Neuro-oncological patients require specialized medical care. However, the data on the costs incurred for such specialized care in developing countries are currently lacking. These data are relevant for international cooperation. Objective  The present study aimed to estimate the direct cost of specialized care for an adult neuro-oncological patient with meningioma or glioma during hospitalization in the largest philanthropic hospital in Latin America. Methods  The present observational economic analysis describes the direct cost of care of neuro-oncological patients in Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brazil. Only adult patients with a common primary brain tumor were included. Results  Due to differences in the system records, the period analyzed for cost estimation was between December 2016 and December 2019. A group of patients with meningiomas and gliomas was analyzed. The estimated mean cost of neurosurgical hospitalization was US$4,166. The cost of the operating room and intensive care unit represented the largest proportion of the total cost. A total of 17.5% of patients had some type of infection, and 66.67% of these occurred in nonelective procedures. The mortality rate was 12.7% and 92.3% of all deaths occurred in emergency procedures. Conclusions  Emergency surgeries were associated with an increased rate of infections and mortality. The findings of the present study could be used by policymakers for resource allocation and to perform economic analyses to establish the value of neurosurgery in achieving global health goals.