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Direct Medical Cost of Influenza-Related Hospitalizations among Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Cases in Three Provinces in China

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  • Lei Zhou
  • Sujian Situ
  • Ting Huang
  • Shixiong Hu
  • Xianjun Wang
  • Xiaoping Zhu
  • Lidong Gao
  • Zhong Li
  • Ao Feng
  • Hui Jin
  • Shiyuan Wang
  • Qiru Su
  • Zhen Xu
  • Zijian Feng

Abstract

Background: Influenza-related hospitalizations impose a considerable economic and social burden. This study aimed to better understand the economic burden of influenza-related hospitalizations among patients in China in different age and risk categories. Methods: Laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations between December 2009 and June 2011 from three hospitals participating in the Chinese Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) sentinel surveillance system were included in this study. Hospital billing data were collected from each hospital’s Hospital Information System (HIS) and divided into five cost categories. Demographic and clinical information was collected from medical records. Mean (range) and median (interquartile range [IQR]) costs were calculated and compared among children (≤15 years), adults (16–64 years) and elderly (≥65 years) groups. Factors influencing cost were analyzed. Results: A total of 106 laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations were identified, 60% of which were children. The mean (range) direct medical cost was $1,797 ($80–$27,545) for all hospitalizations, and the median (IQR) direct medical cost was $231 ($164), $854 ($890), and $2,263 ($7,803) for children, adults, and elderly, respectively. Therapeutics and diagnostics were the two largest components of direct medical cost, comprising 57% and 23%, respectively. Cost of physician services was the lowest at less than 1%. Conclusion: Direct medical cost of influenza-related hospitalizations imposes a heavy burden on patients and their families in China. Further study is needed to provide more comprehensive evidence on the economic burden of influenza. Our study highlights the need to increase vaccination rate and develop targeted national preventive strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Zhou & Sujian Situ & Ting Huang & Shixiong Hu & Xianjun Wang & Xiaoping Zhu & Lidong Gao & Zhong Li & Ao Feng & Hui Jin & Shiyuan Wang & Qiru Su & Zhen Xu & Zijian Feng, 2013. "Direct Medical Cost of Influenza-Related Hospitalizations among Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Cases in Three Provinces in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(5), pages 1-6, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0063788
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063788
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaozhen Lai & Hongguo Rong & Xiaochen Ma & Zhiyuan Hou & Shunping Li & Rize Jing & Haijun Zhang & Yun Lyu & Jiahao Wang & Huangyufei Feng & Zhibin Peng & Luzhao Feng & Hai Fang, 2021. "The Economic Burden of Influenza-Like Illness among Children, Chronic Disease Patients, and the Elderly in China: A National Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Wei Cheng & Zhao Yu & Shelan Liu & Xueying Zhang & Xiaoxiao Wang & Jian Cai & Feng Ling & Enfu Chen, 2017. "Comparison of Influenza Epidemiological and Virological Characteristics between Outpatients and Inpatients in Zhejiang Province, China, March 2011–June 2015," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Joke Bilcke & Samuel Coenen & Philippe Beutels, 2014. "Influenza-Like-Illness and Clinically Diagnosed Flu: Disease Burden, Costs and Quality of Life for Patients Seeking Ambulatory Care or No Professional Care at All," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-11, July.

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