Cost-of-Illness and the Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients in the Dengue Fever Outbreak in Hanoi in 2017

Abstract

Dengue fever (DF) outbreaks occur intermittently in Vietnam, and the most recent epidemic happened in 2017. However, attempts to measure the burden of DF in relation to the quality of life and the cost of treatment for patients during an epidemic period are constrained. This study explored the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the cost of illness among patients with dengue fever in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bach Mai Hospital from September to November 2017. The EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) was used to measure HRQOL. Cost-of illness was measured by collecting data about the direct medical cost, the non-medical cost, and the indirect cost. Among 225 patients, most of the participants experienced problems regarding mobility (62.3%), self-care (71.8%), usual activities (64.6%), and anxiety/depression (64.1%). The mean EQ-5D index was 0.66 (SD = 0.24). The median cost of illness for inpatient and outpatient groups were US $110.10 (IQR = US $4.40–1200.00) and US $36.10 (IQR = US $1.80–816.30), respectively. Indirect costs accounted for a major proportion in both groups. Lower-skilled workers and those with a higher severity of the disease had significantly lower HRQOL. Meanwhile, people who were inpatients, had comorbidities, had higher incomes, and who experienced a longer disease duration, had a higher cost of treatment. In conclusion, high costs and severe health deterioration, especially in psychological dimensions, were found in patients with DF in Vietnam. Strengthening primary health care services and communication campaigns are necessary to relieve the burden of diseases and could possibly contribute to effective DF control and prevention strategies.

Health-Related Quality of Life after Dengue Fever, Morelos, Mexico, 2016–2017

“…Dengue significantly reduces HRQOL beyond the febrile phase. Mobility, pain, and usual activities were the most affected domains, consistent with previous studies (8,12). The proportion of patients reporting problems remained stable among patients with persistent symptoms of dengue.…”

Health‐related quality of life and its associated factors among outpatients with osteoporosis

“…A study conducted by Jarab et al reported a moderately reduced HRQoL among patients with type 2 diabetes in Jordan. In this study, the total mean EQ‐5D score of osteoporosis is 0.62, which is lower than other medical conditions such as diabetes (total mean EQ‐5D score = 0.8), human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) infection (total mean EQ‐5D score = 0.8), skin disease (total mean EQ‐5D = 0.73), respiratory disease (total mean EQ‐5D = 0.66) and dengue fever (EQ‐5D = 0.66) …”

“…In this study, the total mean EQ-5D score of osteoporosis is 0.62, which is lower than other medical conditions such as diabetes (total mean EQ-5D score = 0.8), [13] human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) infection (total mean EQ-5D score = 0.8), [14] skin disease (total mean EQ-5D = 0.73), [15] respiratory disease (total mean EQ-5D = 0.66) [16] and dengue fever (EQ-5D = 0.66). [17] Earlier studies which have investigated the effect of vitamin D on daily activities and HRQoL have found controversial finding. Some of these studies reported that vitamin D had positive effect on HRQoL, [18] while others reported no effect.…”

Global Mapping of Interventions to Improve Quality of Life of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease during 1990–2018

“…A better understanding of the pathogenesis of AD is necessary before developing new therapeutics [29]. In recent years, advances in AD biomarker detection in the preclinical/prodromal phase of the disease indicate their effectiveness in reducing incidents related to AD [30][31][32][33][34]. Consumers in health settings with low resources were found to be highly sensitive to the cost of services.…”