Cost of hospitalization for stroke in a low–middle-income country: Findings from a public tertiary hospital in the Philippines

Abstract

Background

Determining the cost of hospitalization for acute stroke is important in the appropriate allocation of resources for public health facilities and in the cost effectiveness analysis of interventions. Despite being the second leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, there are no published data on the cost of stroke in the country.

Aim

The study aims to determine the in-hospitalization cost for stroke (IHCS) in a tertiary public hospital in the Philippines and identify the factors influencing IHCS.

Methods

The study was a retrospective review of the medical and billing records of the hospital. Adult patients admitted for acute stroke between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018 were included in the analysis. After the mean cost of stroke was determined, multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine demographic and clinical characteristics that were predictive of stroke cost.

Results

A total of 863 patient records were analyzed. The median in-hospitalization cost for stroke was PHP 17,141.50 or US$329.52. Independent determinants of higher cost include male sex (p = 0.021), stroke type (hemorrhagic stroke, p = 0.001; subarachnoid hemorrhage, p < 0.001), lower GCS on admission (p = 0.023), surgical intervention (p < 0.001), intravenous thrombolysis (p < 0.001), infection (p < 0.001), length of hospital stay (p < 0.001), and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

The study provided current data on the in-hospitalization cost of acute stroke in a public tertiary hospital in the Philippines. Male sex, stroke type, lower GCS on admission, surgical intervention, intravenous thrombolysis, infection, length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of cost.