Andrea Alcaraz

Estimation of the burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to modifiable risk factors and cost-effectiveness analysis of preventative interventions to reduce this burden in Argentina

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality and morbidity in Argentina representing 34.2% of deaths and 12.6% of potential years of life lost (PYLL). The aim of the study was to estimate the burden of acute coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke and the cost-effectiveness of preventative population-based and clinical interventions.MethodsAn epidemiological model was built incorporating prevalence and distribution of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia, overweight and obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity, obtained from the Argentine Survey of Risk Factors dataset. Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) of each risk factor was estimated using relative risks from international sources. Total fatal and non-fatal events, PYLL and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) were estimated. Costs of event were calculated from local utilization databases and expressed in international dollars (I

Dengue Epidemiology and Burden of Disease in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis

). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were estimated for six interventions: reducing salt in bread, mass media campaign to promote tobacco cessation, pharmacological therapy of high blood pressure, pharmacological therapy of high cholesterol, tobacco cessation therapy with bupropion, and a multidrug strategy for people with an estimated absolute risk > 20% in 10 years.ResultsAn estimated total of 611,635 DALY was lost due to acute CHD and stroke for 2005. Modifiable risk factors explained 71.1% of DALY and more than 80% of events. Two interventions were cost-saving: lowering salt intake in the population through reducing salt in bread and multidrug therapy targeted to persons with an absolute risk above 20% in 10 years; three interventions had very acceptable ICERs: drug therapy for high blood pressure in hypertensive patients not yet undergoing treatment (I

Estimación de la carga de las enfermedades cardiovasculares atribuible a factores de riesgo modificables en Argentina

2,908 per DALY saved), mass media campaign to promote tobacco cessation amongst smokers (I

Institutionalizing health technology assessment for priority setting and health policy in Latin America: from regional endeavors to national experiences

3,186 per DALY saved), and lowering cholesterol with statin drug therapy (I

Costo-Efectividad del Cardiodesfibrilador Implantable en Pacientes con Factores de Riesgo de Muerte Súbita en Argentina

14,432 per DALY saved); and one intervention was not found to be cost-effective: tobacco cessation with bupropion (I

Perspectives on the challenge of Streptococcus pneumoniae disease burden estimation for national policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean: from theory to practice.

59,433 per DALY saved)ConclusionsMost of the interventions selected were cost-saving or very cost-effective. This study aims to inform policy makers on resource-allocation decisions to reduce the burden of CVD in Argentina.

Cost effectiveness evaluation of a rotavirus vaccination program in Argentina.

INTRODUCTION Dengue virus infection is the most common arthropod-borne disease worldwide with approximately 50 to 100 million cases of dengue infection occurring annually. Globally, dengue incidence has increased in the last 40 years, especially in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries where the highest incidence is found. This systematic review aimed to present information on dengue disease burden and use of health resources in the LAC region in the last 15 years. METHODS We searched the main international and regional databases and generic and academic Internet search engines. Gray literature was retrieved mainly from regional health ministries and Pan American Health Organization. A set of inclusion criteria was defined. RESULTS We identified 2,041 articles of which 25 met these criteria, 13 for incidence and 12 for the use of resources and related costs. The pooled incidence of classic dengue fever was 72.1 cases per 100,000 persons-years in the 44 LAC countries analyzed (95% confidence interval 71.5-72.7), with an upward trend from 1995 up to 2010. Case-fatality ratio was highest in 1997 (0.12 [0.05-0.22]) and lowest in 2009, and the overall mortality was 0.02 per 100,000 people. More than 60% of the cases in the LAC region came from Brazil. The length of hospital stay ranged from 5 to 13 days. CONCLUSIONS Activities to control dengue transmission in the region have been important but insufficient. The surveillance of dengue burden of disease and circulating strains help shape and evaluate the present and future health policies.

Uso de recursos y costos de hospitalizaciones por insufi ciencia card í aca: un estudio retrospective multic é ntrico en Argentina

OBJECTIVE Estimate the burden of disease, the proportion attributable to the principal modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, and the direct medical cost of hospitalization associated with coronary heart disease and stroke in Argentina. METHODOLOGY An analitical model was prepared using Argentinas 2005 mortality data and the prevalence of the principal cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, obesity, hyperglycemia, current and past smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables). The burden of disease-years of potential life lost (YPLL) and years of healthy life lost (YHLL)- and hospitalization costs for the cardiovascular diseases analyzed were estimated. RESULTS In 2005 over 600 000 YHL were lost in Argentina and the number of YPLL due to heart disease and stroke was calculated at 400 000; 71.1% of the YHLL, 73.9% of the YPLL, and 76.0% of the associated costs were attributable to modifiable risk factors. Hypertension was the risk factor with the greatest impact in both men and in women, responsible for 37.3% of the total cost, 37.5% of the YPLL, and 36.6% of the YHLL. CONCLUSIONS Most of the burden of disease from cardiovascular disease in Argentina is associated with modifiable, and therefore preventable, risk factors and could be reduced through population-based and clinical interventions that employ a risk approach; such interventions have already proven to be cost effective, accessible, and feasible in countries like Argentina.

Reparación Endovascular para Aneurisma de Aorta: Revisión Panorámica sobre su evidencia en el mundo y su aplicación en Latinoamérica

In this paper, we provide a short summary of recent trends and key issues regarding the current status of health technology assessment (HTA) in Latin America. Initially, we describe worldwide and region-wide initiatives that foster the institutionalization of HTA for decision making and health policy in our region. Then, we describe some countries in the region that are worth mentioning for their application of HTA at a national level. The target audiences are those researchers and decision makers interested in following HTA in our region.

Carga de enfermedad por tabaquismo e impacto potencial del incremento de precios de cigarrillos en el Perú

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) among patients who are at risk for sudden death in Argentina, from three scenarios: public health, social security and private sector. METHODS We developed a Markov model to evaluate the survival, quality of life and cost of the prophylactic implantation of an ICD, as compared with pharmacological therapy, among three different target populations according to clinical trials selected using a systematic review, and choosing epidemiological, effectiveness, resource use and cost parameters. A healthcare system perspective was adopted. A 3% discount rate was used. RESULTS The use of the ICD was more costly and more effective than control therapy. The cohort with greater benefits was represented by MADIT I study, showing an incremental cost effectiveness rate (ICER) of