PCV43 Economic Burden of Venous Thromboembolism in Orthopedic Surgery Patients in Colombia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Orthopedic surgery presents a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Without prophylaxis, between 41% and 85% of patients who undergo highrisk orthopedic procedures develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and up to 10% develop pulmonary embolism (PE). Furthermore, the economic burden of VTE is perceived as substantially high in Colombia. Few data on the total economic burden of DVT and PE associated to orthopedic surgery, however, is available in the country. The objective of this study was to quantify the economic burden of DVT and PE in the Colombian health care setting. METHODS: Delphi Panel methodology was used to estimate 2011 resource utilization associated with VTE treatment events in patients undergoing hip and knee replacement. Delphi Panel contained specialists from the private Colombian setting. Local available databases and published literature was retrieved. Cost estimations (inpatient and outpatient costs, acquisition costs, bleedings costs, intracranial hemorrhages and other associated costs) considered the private perspective, using unit cost data from Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito (SOAT). RESULTS: In Colombia the cost of hip replacement surgery (in 2011 USD) was estimated at USD $3182 and the cost of knee replacement at USD$2942. Mean symptomatic PE costs for inpatients with hip replacement was USD$6651 and DVT mean costs was USD$4061. Cost of treating minor bleeding adverse events in patients with hip replacement, was estimated as USD$4157 and major bleeding as USD$6171. The mean symptomatic PE costs (2011 US$) for inpatients with knee replacement was USD$6538 and DVT was USD $3801. Cost of treating minor bleeding adverse events in patients with knee replacement, was estimated as USD$3931 and major bleeding as USD$5945. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of VTE events related to orthopedic surgery can significantly impact overall costs of orthopedic surgery in Colombia.