Cost to government and society of chronic kidney disease stage 1–5: a national cohort study. Issue 7 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wyld, M. L. R.; Lee, C. M. Y.; Zhuo, X.; White, S.; Shaw, J. E.; Morton, R. L.; Colagiuri, S.; Chadban, S. J.
• Is Part Of: Internal medicine journal. Volume 45:Issue 7(2015)
• Page Start: 741
• Page End: 747
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/imj.12797
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-0903

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="imj12797-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Costs associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well documented. Understanding such costs is important to inform economic evaluations of prevention strategies and treatment options.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12797-sec-9001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To estimate the costs associated with CKD in Australia.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12797-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We used data from the 2004/2005 AusDiab study, a national longitudinal population‐based study of non‐institutionalised Australian adults aged ≥25 years. We included 6138 participants with CKD, diabetes and healthcare cost data. The annual age and sex‐adjusted costs per person were estimated using a generalised linear model. Costs were inflated from 2005 to 2012 Australian dollars using best practice methods.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12797-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Among 6138 study participants, there was a significant difference in the per‐person annual direct healthcare costs by CKD status, increasing from $1829 (95% confidence interval (CI): $1740–1943) for those without CKD to $14 545 (95% CI: $5680–44 842) for those with stage 4 or 5 CKD (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01). Similarly, there was a significant difference in the per‐person annual direct non‐healthcare costs by CKD status from $524 (95% CI: $413–641) for those without CKD to $2349 (95% CI: $386–5156) for those with stage 4 or 5 CKD (<italic>P</italic> < 0.01). Diabetes is a common cause of CKD and is associated with increased health costs. Costs per person were higher for those with diabetes than those without diabetes in all CKD groups; however, this was significant only for those without CKD and those with early stage (stage 1 or 2) CKD.</p> </sec> <sec id="imj12797-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Individuals with CKD incur 85% higher healthcare costs and 50% higher government subsidies than individuals without CKD, and costs increase by CKD stage. Primary and secondary prevention strategies may reduce costs and warrant further consideration.</p> </sec> </abstract>