Survey of Direct Medical Costs and Risk Factors for Resistant Tuberculosis Patients to Refer to Masih Daneshvari Hospital: 2019

Resistant and extensive resistant tuberculosis is one of the most important infectious diseases and the most important challenge in the treatment of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct treatment costs of patients with resistant and extensive resistant tuberculosis and the risk factors for developing resistance to the treatment of this disease.

This descriptive-analytical study estimated the treatment costs of resistant and extensive resistant tuberculosis in elderly patients referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital during 2009-2010 and then the risk factors for resistance in these patients were investigated. For this purpose, 268 refractory tuberculosis patients were randomly selected. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17 using descriptive statistics and Pearson and Spearman tests and t-test.

The mean age and length of stay of patients were 59.96±15.45 years and 43.17± 5.8 days, respectively. 97.01% of patients had a history of tuberculosis. The average cost of medicine, diagnostic services and hospital services was estimated at 594.81, 1387.31 and 10972.28 rail millions, respectively. The relationship between direct costs of treatment and age, length of hospital stay and occupation was statistically significant (P≤0.05) but its relationship with education level and gender was not significant (P˃0.05).

Considering that hospitalization and prolongation of hospitalization costs a lot of money, so it is suggested that following the correct treatment protocols and principles of DOTs, these costs can be reduced and on the other hand follow up patients with a history of disease to prevent the spread and recurrence. Recurrence of the disease seems necessary.