Assessing Treatment Costs and Economic Burden of Major Cardiovascular Conditions in Turkiye

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the treatment direct costs associated with cardiovascular conditions in Turkiye. By analyzing various cost factors, it seeks to contribute valuable insights into the financial implications of managing these health conditions in Turkiye.

METHODS: The cardiovascular conditions included in this study are hypertension (HTN), stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), angina, and heart failure (HF). This study presents 2023 cost analysis for these conditions evaluating at acute as well as chronic treatment phases. Resource use and cost estimates were derived from published literature, expert opinions, and clinical guidelines, combining to yield a comprehensive cost profile for each condition within the current Turkish healthcare context. The derived costs were calculated as average and updated to 2023 with inflation rate.

RESULTS: The analyses yielded the following results: cost of acute stroke was 21,987 TRY, with the cost for the 1st year beyond acute stroke being 24,272 TRY and 5,055 TRY for the 2nd and subsequent years. Acute MI incurred a cost of 19,964 TRY, while the cost for 1st year and beyond acute MI was 7,178 TRY. The cost incurred in the first year of HF was 22,352 TRY and the cost of the 2nd and following years was 12,147 TRY. The annual cost of HTN management was found to be 755.50 TRY. The annual cost of stable angina was 8,846 TRY and the annual cost of unstable angina was 20,240 TRY.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the substantial economic burden these diseases place on the healthcare system. Particularly, HF and stroke emerge as the costliest among these conditions, requiring multiple forms of treatment and care. Accurate understanding of these costs forms a basis to evaluate strategies aimed at reducing the financial impact of these prevalent diseases. Further research should continue to monitor these costs over time, considering evolving treatment methods and economic factors.