Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of hospitalised pre-dialysis and dialysis patients: A comparative study

Background The progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be attributed to various factors, including lack of medical services, delayed referral, lack of awareness about the disease, drugs, and financial support. Aims To compare the pharmacoeconomic-related direct medical and non-medical costs among hospitalised pre-dialysis and dialysis patients. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted on the inpatients admitted to the Department of Nephrology. Patients undergoing maintenance dialysis or initiated on renal replacement therapy were included in the dialysis patients group and other CKD patients in the pre-dialysis group. The data pertaining to the pharmacoeconomic-related direct medical and non-medical costs were collected from the patient records, medical bills, and other relevant sources. Results Out of 100 patients, 43 were in the pre-dialysis group and 57 were in the dialysis group. The median direct medical costs (INR 4,731.62, USD $76.47) for dialysis group patients were significantly higher than for the pre-dialysis group (INR 1,820.95, USD $29.43). The median direct non-medical costs (INR 550, USD $8.88) for pre-dialysis group patients were not significantly higher than for the dialysis group (INR 480, USD $7.75). Conclusion There was a significant difference in the median direct total costs between pre-dialysis and dialysis patients. The number of medications per prescription and length of hospital stay are the factors that influence the median direct total costs.