A comparison of the costs and survival of hospital-admitted stroke patients across Europe

Grieve, R., Hutton, J., Bhalla, A., Rastenyte, D., Ryglewicz, D., Sarti, C., Lamassa, M., Giroud, M., Dundas, R. and Wolfe, C.D.A. (2001) A comparison of the costs and survival of hospital-admitted stroke patients across Europe. Stroke, 32(7), pp. 1684-1691. (doi: 10.1161/​01.STR.32.7.1684)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/​01.STR.32.7.1684

Abstract

Background and Purpose—Policy makers require evidence on the costs and outcomes of different ways of organizing stroke care. This study compared the costs and survival of different ways of providing stroke care. Methods—Hospitalized stroke patients from 13 European centers were included, with demographic, case-mix, and resource use variables measured for each patient. Unit costs were collected and converted into US dollars using the purchasing power parity (PPP) index. Cox and linear regression analyses were used to compare survival and costs between the centers adjusting for case mix. Results—A total of 1847 patients were included in the study. After case-mix adjustment, the mean predicted costs ranged from $466 [95% CI 181 to 751] in Riga (Latvia) to $8512 [7696 to 9328] in Copenhagen (Denmark), which reflected differences in unit costs, and resource use. The mean length of hospitalization ranged from 8.3 days in Menorca (Spain) to 36.8 days in Turku B (Finland). In the 3 Finnish centers at least 80% of patients were admitted to wards providing organized stroke care, which was not provided at the centers in Almada (Portugal), Menorca, or Riga. Patients in Turku A and Turku B were less likely to die than those in Riga, Warsaw (Poland), or Menorca. The adjusted hazard ratios were 0.18 [0.10 to 0.32] for Turku A, 0.18 [0.10 to 0.32] for Turku B, 0.68 [0.48 to 0.96] for Warsaw, and 0.56 [0.33 to 0.96] for Menorca, all compared with Riga. Conclusions—The cost of stroke care varies across Europe because of differences in unit costs, and resource use. Further research is needed to assess which ways of organizing stroke care are the most cost-effective.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dundas, Professor Ruth
Authors: Grieve, R., Hutton, J., Bhalla, A., Rastenyte, D., Ryglewicz, D., Sarti, C., Lamassa, M., Giroud, M., Dundas, R., and Wolfe, C.D.A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Stroke
Publisher:American Heart Association
ISSN:0039-2499
ISSN (Online):1524-4628

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record