Abstract

Objectives

To examine the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events on patient functionality and productivity on the basis of patient use of public or social/private institution health care.

Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted of data drawn from records of Argentinian patients, 3 to 15 months posthospitalization after a CVD event, who had originally participated in a multicountry, cross-sectional study assessing the microeconomic impact of a CVD event. Respondents were stratified according to their use of health care institution (public or social/private). Among these groups, pre- and post-CVD event changes in functionality and productivity were compared.

Results

Participants’ (N = 431) mean age was 56.5 years, and 73.5% were men. Public sector patients reported significantly higher rates of decline in ability to perform moderate activities (P 0.01) was also significantly associated with productivity loss.

Conclusions

In Argentina, patients receiving care in the public sector experienced a greater impact on functionality and productivity after their hospitalization for a CVD event. Lack of insurance, low income, and cerebrovascular disease event were the major determinants of productivity loss. Further investigation is needed to better understand contributors to these differences.