Author/Authors :
Davari، Majid نويسنده Health Management and Economics Research Center , , Yazdanpanah، Farkhondeh نويسنده Deparment of Pharmaceutical, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , , Aslani، Abolfazl نويسنده Department of Pharmaceutics and Novel Drug Delivery Systems Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , , Hosseini، Mohsen نويسنده Center for Research in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , , Nazari، Ali Reza نويسنده Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan , , Mokarian، Fairborz نويسنده Breast Cancer Research Group, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan ,
Abstract :
Background: Breast cancer is one of the main causes of mortality
and morbidity world?wide. The estimation of the direct medical
costs of breast cancer can help payers of the cost to understand
the burden of breast cancer on their limited financial resources as
well as the society.
Methods: We used a cross?sectional study to calculate the direct
medical costs of breast cancer among women in Isfahan, Iran.
The medical records of all patients which were registered in Seyed
Al?Shohada Hospital between March 2005 and March 2010 were
reviewed. The relevant data from patients’ profiles extracted. The
direct medical costs of received services were calculated with both
public and private tariffs.
Results: The total numbers of 467 patients in various disease stages
were included into the study. The average age of patients was 49 years.
The average direct cost per patient per month in stages I to IV
were 222.17, 224.61, 316.51 and 828.52 US$, respectively. The
surgery cost was the main cost driver for stages I and II with
private tariffs. However for stages III and IV, the medication cost
was the main cost component for managing breast cancer.
Conclusions: The direct economic cost of breast cancer in Iran is
very high; nonetheless, as the age of breast cancer in Iran is nearly
10 years lower than Western countries, the burden of the disease
in Iran is expected to be significantly high. Medication therapy is
the main cost component of the breast cancer.
