OBJECTIVES : To estimate the hospitalization episode of care cost in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in Colombia.

METHODS

Six clinical experts, from a Colombian public hospital, were interviewed to estimate the potential episode of care cost of two hypothetical patients profiles. Patient profile (A) was described as PAH type I, NYHA class IV, with 4 years of symptoms before diagnosis and multiple hospital admissions. Patient profile (B), was defined as PAH type IV and NYHA class III. Experts provided a detailed description of expected health resources requirements and frequency of usage associated with the hospitalization episode for both patient profiles. Cost valuation was done by using both institutional fees and Colombian national tariffs for medical procedures and medications. The results were presented in current prices and converted to USA dollars (USD = COP 3,358; 2^nd half average 2019). Overall episode cost was broken down and presented as hospital stay related costs, professional services, diagnosis tests and labs, disposables, inpatient care medications and respiratory medical procedures. Other ambulatory costs, such as PAH chronic treatment medications, were not considered as part of the episode of care cost.

RESULTS

Episode of care cost was estimated in USD$ 6,400 for the patient profile 1 and USD 13,204 for patient profile 2. Cost composition differs between patient profiles, being hospital stay (40% of overall cost) the highest weighted item in patient profile 1 and diagnosis (48%) the most relevant cost component for patient profile 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The PAH episode of care cost and composition, might change depending on the patient profile. This study estimates that episode of care cost could be more than USD$ 6,000 in Colombia and almost twice higher in patients with PAH IV.