OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the economic burden associated with stroke by analyzing the costs of post-stroke care per patient per month and per year in different countries.

METHODS: Data from multiple studies were gathered to evaluate the average costs of post-stroke care. Studies reporting inpatient and outpatient care costs were included, as well as those focusing solely on outpatient care settings. The costs were analyzed for various countries, and the results were weighted to account for the number of patients.

RESULTS: The average cost per patient per month of post-stroke care varied depending on the type of care setting. Studies considering both inpatient and outpatient care reported costs of US$1515 per month, while studies focusing solely on outpatient care reported costs of US$820 per month. The highest costs for inpatient/outpatient care were reported in the USA (US$4,644), followed by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. On the other hand, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany had the lowest costs. In terms of outpatient care alone, the highest costs were in the USA and the United Kingdom, while the lowest costs were in Malaysia.

CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden associated with stroke, particularly in terms of post-stroke care costs, varies significantly across countries. The USA consistently exhibited the highest costs, both in terms of per month and per year care expenses. Denmark, Norway, and several European countries also faced substantial economic burdens. In contrast, countries like Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom allocated a smaller portion of their GDP per capita to post-stroke care. These findings emphasize the need for effective strategies to optimize resource allocation and reduce the economic impact of stroke on healthcare systems.