Epidemiological and Economic Analysis of Hospitalizations for Cellulitis and Erysipelas From the Perspective of a Brazilian Health Insurance Company
Author(s)
JOSE MARIO JUNIOR, Ph.D, Francisco Prota, Ph.D, Antonio Chrispim, MD, Indyanara I. Barreto, MS, Ana Carolina F. da Silva, MD, Aline de Oliveira Podadeira, MD, Fatima F. Christoforo, Ph.D, Raissa Carolina Alves da Silva, MD, José Emilio Duran Bueno, MD;
Unimed Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Unimed Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the demographic profile, use of resources and costs associated with hospitalizations for cellulitis and erysipelas.
METHODS: A retrospective multicenter observational study was carried out in hospitals in a metropolitan region, with epidemiological and hospitalization cost data provided by Unimed Campinas, from 12/2021 to 11/2024. Hospitalizations with primary diagnoses (ICD-10 L03 and A46) were included.
RESULTS: The study covered 15 centers, 230 beneficiaries, 51% of whom were women. Around two thirds were over 65, a quarter were aged 45-64, 8% were aged 18-44 and 1% were under 18. There were 38 readmissions (16.52%), more than three quarters of which were in patients over 65. Around 29.71% of the costs were for daily ICU fees. The average length of stay was 9 days and the hospitalization costs amounted to US$815.893,34, with an average of US$3.547,36 per patient. Patients over 65 accounted for 71.15% of total costs. The costs were broken down into admissions (US$541.841,21), medicines (US$93.324,02), exams (US$67.597,81), materials (US$57.592,41), general procedures (US$22.631,91) and diagnostics and special therapies (US$32.905,98). Antibiotics accounted for 50.72% of drug costs, especially beta-lactams, which accounted for 54.68% of these costs and 57.87% of total use. Vein and artery Dopplers accounted for more than half of the costs of exams, wound cleaning kits accounted for 39.77% of the costs of materials and the infusion of red blood cell concentration accounted for almost half of the costs of diagnostic procedures and special therapies.
CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations for cellulitis and erysipelas had a significant impact on costs, with a predominance in elderly patients. The results emphasize the need for preventive measures, including the adoption of new technologies related to antimicrobial therapy, early management to optimize resources and improve clinical outcomes.
METHODS: A retrospective multicenter observational study was carried out in hospitals in a metropolitan region, with epidemiological and hospitalization cost data provided by Unimed Campinas, from 12/2021 to 11/2024. Hospitalizations with primary diagnoses (ICD-10 L03 and A46) were included.
RESULTS: The study covered 15 centers, 230 beneficiaries, 51% of whom were women. Around two thirds were over 65, a quarter were aged 45-64, 8% were aged 18-44 and 1% were under 18. There were 38 readmissions (16.52%), more than three quarters of which were in patients over 65. Around 29.71% of the costs were for daily ICU fees. The average length of stay was 9 days and the hospitalization costs amounted to US$815.893,34, with an average of US$3.547,36 per patient. Patients over 65 accounted for 71.15% of total costs. The costs were broken down into admissions (US$541.841,21), medicines (US$93.324,02), exams (US$67.597,81), materials (US$57.592,41), general procedures (US$22.631,91) and diagnostics and special therapies (US$32.905,98). Antibiotics accounted for 50.72% of drug costs, especially beta-lactams, which accounted for 54.68% of these costs and 57.87% of total use. Vein and artery Dopplers accounted for more than half of the costs of exams, wound cleaning kits accounted for 39.77% of the costs of materials and the infusion of red blood cell concentration accounted for almost half of the costs of diagnostic procedures and special therapies.
CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations for cellulitis and erysipelas had a significant impact on costs, with a predominance in elderly patients. The results emphasize the need for preventive measures, including the adoption of new technologies related to antimicrobial therapy, early management to optimize resources and improve clinical outcomes.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EE262
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Value of Information
Disease
SDC: Geriatrics, SDC: Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)