Comparative Cost Analysis of Patient and Hospital Expenditure on Medical Management of Chronic Renal Failure

Context: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a debilitating condition responsible for high financial burden on government and society. The vast majority of patients starting haemodialysis die or stop treatment not only because of cost constraints but also proper care is not available to all patients.

Aims and objectives: To determine the cost of pharmaceutical treatment during haemodialysis and to find out the ratio of cost incurred by hospital versus cost incurred by patient.

Settings and Design: A hospital based longitudinal study was conducted for one year.

Methods and Material: The patients who visited out patient clinic of Department of Medicine having CRF undergoing haemodialysis were included as participants. Data was collected by interview schedule using the pre designed questionnaire.

Statistical analysis used: Data was analysed and tabulated using frequency distribution tables, proportions and ratio. Mean and Standard Deviation were calculated.

Results: The mean age was 45.2 years, 75.8% were males and the comorbidity were: Hypertension 67.7% and diabetes 19.3%. The per patient per year expenditure for haemodialysis incurred by patients were Rs.213824 while by hospital was Rs.15272. The erythropoietin cost was 43.1% of the total cost incurred by patient. The ratio of expenditure incurred by private hospital to the patients was 6.7% : 93.3%.

Conclusion: The high pharmaceutical cost for treatment of CKD and less hospital's share in expenditure emphasise a need of the better health insurance scheme in rural setting.