Evaluating the Disease Spectrum and Cost of Care Among Neurology Inpatients in Northeast India: Insights From a Real World, Hospital Based Study
Author(s)
RUBY KASANA, PhD1, Haripriya NB, M. Pharm1, Amit Ranjan Barua, MD, DNB2, Mausumi Barthakur, MD, PhD2, Krishna Undela, PhD1.
1National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Guwahati, Guwahati, India, 2GNRC Institute of Medical Sciences, North Guwahati, India.
1National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Guwahati, Guwahati, India, 2GNRC Institute of Medical Sciences, North Guwahati, India.
OBJECTIVES: The aim is to assess the annual spectrum of patients admitted to the Neurology ward of a tertiary care hospital and assess their financial strain.
METHODS: An observational study was conducted at the Department of Neurology and Critical Care between January 2023 and January 2024. Patients hospitalized in the neurology ward during the study period, regardless of age and gender, were included. Data were obtained from medical records, patient or caregiver interviews, and billing systems. International Classification of Diseases 11 was used for disease classification. Direct medical costs were categorized into accommodation, diagnostic investigations, and medication expenses. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data using SPSS 29.
RESULTS: Among 487 patients, cerebrovascular diseases were most common (36.3%), followed by peripheral nerve disorders (17%). The mean age was 47.6 years (±17.6), with 89.7% from rural areas. Hypertension (60.2%) and diabetes (36.3%) were prevalent comorbidities but often undiagnosed. Majority of the patients were discharged routinely (54.6%), followed by on request (40.5%). Highest costs were for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure or flow disorders median INR 74,457.49 (IQR: 41368.43 to 107546.55) followed by central nervous system (CNS) infections INR 32,141.99 (IQR .00-153122.89), and cerebrovascular diseases INR 28,754.60 (IQR: 1631.74 to 241934.91). Median costs were INR 10068 (IQR: 2517 to 1,87,450) for accommodation, INR 13848.2 (IQR: 0.00 to 190096)) for investigations or services, and INR 3327.555 (IQR: 0.00 to 1,43,492.29) for medications. The overall median direct medical cost was INR 22473.695 (IQR: 0.00 to 287623.4), with investigations being the major contributor (65.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrovascular diseases were most common, with many patients from rural areas having undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes. CSF disorders and CNS infections led to the highest costs, mainly driven by investigations. Despite short hospital stays, the economic burden was high, underscoring the need for early diagnosis and better comorbidity management.
METHODS: An observational study was conducted at the Department of Neurology and Critical Care between January 2023 and January 2024. Patients hospitalized in the neurology ward during the study period, regardless of age and gender, were included. Data were obtained from medical records, patient or caregiver interviews, and billing systems. International Classification of Diseases 11 was used for disease classification. Direct medical costs were categorized into accommodation, diagnostic investigations, and medication expenses. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data using SPSS 29.
RESULTS: Among 487 patients, cerebrovascular diseases were most common (36.3%), followed by peripheral nerve disorders (17%). The mean age was 47.6 years (±17.6), with 89.7% from rural areas. Hypertension (60.2%) and diabetes (36.3%) were prevalent comorbidities but often undiagnosed. Majority of the patients were discharged routinely (54.6%), followed by on request (40.5%). Highest costs were for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure or flow disorders median INR 74,457.49 (IQR: 41368.43 to 107546.55) followed by central nervous system (CNS) infections INR 32,141.99 (IQR .00-153122.89), and cerebrovascular diseases INR 28,754.60 (IQR: 1631.74 to 241934.91). Median costs were INR 10068 (IQR: 2517 to 1,87,450) for accommodation, INR 13848.2 (IQR: 0.00 to 190096)) for investigations or services, and INR 3327.555 (IQR: 0.00 to 1,43,492.29) for medications. The overall median direct medical cost was INR 22473.695 (IQR: 0.00 to 287623.4), with investigations being the major contributor (65.7%).
CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrovascular diseases were most common, with many patients from rural areas having undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes. CSF disorders and CNS infections led to the highest costs, mainly driven by investigations. Despite short hospital stays, the economic burden was high, underscoring the need for early diagnosis and better comorbidity management.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD175
Topic Subcategory
Data Protection, Integrity, & Quality Assurance
Disease
SDC: Neurological Disorders