Objective To describe and analyze both the direct impact of emergency service (ES) cost sharing and the indirect impact of drug cost sharing on emergency service utilization (ESU) in health insurance plans. Methods The author searched18 electronic databases which were in the evidence-based, public health, economic and social categories, respectively, 2 grey literature review resources and Google search engine, and the retrieval time was from June 21st, 2011 to September 19th, 2011. According to the inclusion criteria, data screening and extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently, and the differences were discussed by a third person or a review group. The theme analysis was adopted to systematically analyze both the direct and indirect impacts of cost sharing on ESU. Additionally, the side effects were analyzed too. Results Among total 22 studies included, 13 described the direct impact of ESU cost sharing, while the other 9 referred to the indirect impact of drug cost sharing. There were mainly 5 categories of health plans involved in. The results showed that, ESU could respond to the cost sharing: ESU decreased when the proportion of copayment increased, and vice versa. The increase of drug copayment impaired the use of essential drugs and finally increased ESU. However, a modest ES copayment decreased the irrational ESU rather than the rational ESU. Conclusion To the insured, the increase of ES cost sharing would not decrease the rational ESU and has no adverse events, while the increase of drug cost sharing would lead to some adverse events such as the increase of ESU. To the uninsured, the impact of cost sharing needs to be further disccussed. So this review suggests, the proper ES self-payment should be introduced into the health insurance plans according to local economic status, resident income, etc.; in addition, the drug self-payment ratio should be determined cautiously.
Objective To investigate the orthopaedic inpatients’ disease and cost constitution of the Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu during 2008-2010, so as to provide detailed baseline data for further research on the factorial analysis of disease burden and effective intervention. Methods The medical records of inpatients in orthopaedic department of the hospital during 2008-2010 were collected, and the diseases based on the first diagnosis on discharge records were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Results During 2008 to 2010, the total number of inpatients increased year by year. Most of the male inpatients were the young and middle-aged, while the female were the old. The rank order of top 5 systematic diseases didn’t change, while there were 6 single diseases kept ranking as top 10 in those 3 years. The average cost per capita averagely grew by 8.97%. The top 3 constitution of hospitalization cost remained the same, which were material cost, drug cost, and treatment cost; while the top 3 payment modes of hospitalization cost were patient’s own expense, social security, and public expense. Among those payment modes, social security rose obviously, and patient’s own expense reduced generally. Conclusion a) The total number of inpatients increases yearly during 2008-2010, and the gender and age distribution of inpatients are tending towards stability. b) The spectrum of disease and single diseases classified according to the one-level code of ICD-10 are relatively stable in those 3 years; of which the top ranked disease is lumbar disc herniation, and the disease with most obviously rising trend is intertrochanteric fracturethe. c) The hospitalization cost per capita rises year by year, of which the constituent ratio of both material and examination costs grow obviously, but the operation, treatment and bed costs are still lower. It requires a multi-pronged approach to control the increase of hospitalization cost as well as the rationalization of cost constitution. d) Among all payment modes of hospitalization cost, the constituent ratio of patient’s own expense reduces year by year, while social security rises, indicating the medical security in national social security has been further expanded.
Objective To investigate infertile inpatients hospitalized in Pingjin Hospital in Tianjin from 2008 to 2010, so as to provide baseline data for further research. Methods According to diagnosis criteria of WHO, we collected demographical characteristics, disease cause and cost constitution of infertility inpatients hospitalized in Pingjin Hospital in Tianjin from 2008 to 2010. The data of each patient were input into ACCESS database and SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results a) From 2008 to 2010, there were 1 452 infertile patients from 33 different areas of mainland China, 79.7% of which was from the north of China. b) The mean age was 31.2±4.3 years old. The percentage of patients aged 30 to 34 years accounted for the most (40.3%). Mental laborers (23.3%) were more than physical laborers (7.2%). 36.7% of patients received education from universities and 83.1% of patients had family income ranging from 20,000 yuan to 190,000 yuan. c) The mean age of the first sexual activity was 21.4±2.9 years old. 53.7% of patients had only one sexual partner and most couples had sexual activities twice every week. The mean age of husbands was 32.9±5.5 years old with the highest percentage of 30 to 35 years old (39.2%). The percent of intellectual work of husband was the highest (35.9%). 64.9% of patients had normal semen analysis results and 23.0% never took related examination. d) 29.9% of patients was primary infertility and 70.1% was secondary infertility, of which 57.6% had either induced or medical abortion. The mean duration of infertility was 5.2±3.5 years (range 1 to 21 year). e) 76.3% of infertile patients had pelvic adhesion and 88.6% suffered from tubal disease. Among the tubal infertile patients, 23.6% had uterine disease, 5.2% had ovarian disease, 5.0% had endometriosis, 6.7% had multiple problems, and 4.8% had unexplained infertility. In patients with tubal infertility, the incidence of distal fimbria atresia (45.8%) was higher than that of proximal block (32.9%). 24.7% of patients with fimbria atresia had hydrosalpinx and among of them, 21.1% had no hydrosalpinx. 15.2% had congenital tubal defects. f) The average hospital stay was 10.5 days and the cost was 14 253.3 yuan per person. The percentage of material cost was 29.1% and that of drugs was 18.2%. Conclusion a) The total number of infertile inpatients was 1 452 in gynecology department of Pingjin Hospital of Tianjin from 2008 to 2010. 79.7% of patient was from North China. Most of them were 30 to 34 years old and 44.3% had no job. The percentage of patients had university education and that of low-middle family income was the highest. Sexual activity was relatively traditional. Most husbands were 30 to 35 years old and intellectual workers, and 23.0% of them had never taken an examination of semen analysis. More patients were secondary infertile, and the duration of infertility was 1 to 21 years. b) 76.3% of patients had pelvic adhesion and 88.6% had tubal disease. The incidence of distal tubal fimbria atresia was higher than proximal tubal occlusion. c) The average hospital stay was 10.5 days and the cost was 14 253.3 yuan per person which was further lower than each cycle cost of assisted reproductive technology. The overall costs included materials and drugs (47.3%), which were mainly at patients’ own expense.
Objective To investigate the disease constitution and cost of inpatients in Gaozha Central Township Health Center (GzC) in Wuzhong City of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from 2008 to 2010, so as to provide baseline data for further research. Methods A questionnaire combined with a special interview was carried out, and case records and cost information of GzC inpatients in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (from January to November) were collected. The diseases in discharge record were classified according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) based on the first diagnose and the cost was analyzed. Data including general information of the inpatients, discharge diagnosis, hospitalization expenses, and drug cost etc. were rearranged and analyzed by Excel software. Results a) The total number of the inpatients was 1124, 642 and 747 in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The female was more than the male in both 2008 (59.34% vs. 40.66%) and 2009 (60.75% vs. 39.25%), and their disease spectrum included 17 categories, which accounted for 81% of ICD-10; b) The top six most commonly seen systematic diseases with a constituent ratio from 86.63% to 92.06% in recent three years were as follows: the respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system, genitourinary system, injury and toxicosis, skeletal musculature and connective tissue disease. Except the injury and toxicosis, the other five systematic diseases were commonly seen in females rather than in males; c) The top 15 monopathies in recent three years were pulmonary infection, tracheitis or bronchitis, coronary heart disease, soft tissue injury, gastritis or chronic gastritis, upper respiratory infection, hypertension, urinary tract infection, prolapse of lumbar intervertebral disc, pelvic inflammation, fracture, pneumocardial diseases, superficial injury, chronic cholecystitis and arthritis; d) The main burdens of disease for inpatients focused on 35-54 age groups, then followed by the age groups above 55 in 2008 and 2009. Except the injury and toxicosis, the other diseases were commonly seen in females rather than in males. Pulmonary infection focused on the age groups above 35; the onset of hypertension increased obviously and a sharp rise of hypertension existed in the 45-54 age groups in 2008, but the hypertention focused on 35-44 age groups in 2009; e) The total inpatients with top 15 monopathies accounted for 64.06% to 71.21%, including 8-9 chronic diseases ranking higher in 2010, and 6-7 acute diseases focusing on infection and injury; and f) The average costs of chronic diseases were higher than those of acute diseases. Conclusion a) There is a big gap between GzC and Yong’an Central Township Health Center (YaC) regarding the level of the regional economic development, the situation of disease burden and cost of inpatients. The former is demonstrated as general Central Township Health Center, while the latter as affluent Central Township Health Center in western China; b) In recent three years, the main systematic diseases are in respiratory, circulatory and digestive system; the inpatients suffer from more chronic diseases rather than acute diseases in their young age; the acute diseases mainly include infection and injury, and the pulmonary infection has ranked as the first during the past three years; c) The inpatients in 2008 and 2009 are mainly in ages of 35 to 54, and then are over 55 years old. Except the injury and toxicosis, the other diseases were commonly seen in females rather than in males; d) The patients’ average costs of chronic diseases for hospitalization and drug in 2010 were lower than those of YaC. Consideration on reasonable constitution of the cost for hospitalization should be paid attention to; and e) It is urgent to strengthen the construction of infrastructure and informatization in GzC.
Medicine is a very important health resource in China. Although numerous efforts are paid to pre-marketed medicines, little is done to address practical problems in marketed medicines. The rational use and allocation of marketed medicines remain a major concern for decision-makers in China. It has been recognized that economic evaluation is an efficient tool for prioritizing the choice, and optimizing the use of medicines. This paper has explored the methods and principles for conducting economic evaluation of marketed medicines. Different strategies will be adopted for economic evidence for marketed medicines in terms of adequacy and sufficiency.However, a standard study pathway should be applied in economic evaluation of marketed medicines. Besides, the aspects for developing economic framework and the methods for reviewing existing economic evidence are also introduced in this paper, particularly, for marketed medicines within the same therapeutic group.
Objective To investigate present status of health care in peri-brain-death and analyze its effectiveness and health economic characteristics. Method Retrospective analysis of case series was conducted and a total of 940 patients from surgical intensive care unit (SICU) were reviewed on treatment and part of direct medical expenditure. The patients admitted from Jun. 1999 to Dec. 2000 and Nov. 2001 to Jun. 2002 were included in this study. Data were processed by SPSS 10.0. Results Patients were included if they had two of the three symptoms for at least one hour: deep coma, pupillar light reflex disappear, and no autonomic respiratory. Ultimately 115 patients were included, with a total cost of ￥2 515.9 per day for each case, whereas mortality was 99.10%. Mortality increased with the state of peri-brain-death prolonged. Eighty percent of patients included were dead within 72 hours after admission. Conclusions Attempts to resuscitate patients of peri-brain-death have been the most widely applied in China, however, it resulted in great unnecessary consumption of health resources. It is of great importance to promote legislation of brain death in China.
Objective To investigate the role of expression of T cell costimulatory molecule CD28 and variance of T cell subpopulations in the development and prognosis of gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. Methods The peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested for T cell subpopulations and T cell costimulatory molecule CD28 by flow cytometry in 38 patients with gastric cancer, 42 patient s with colorectal cancer , and 21 healthy peoples as control group . Results Expressions of T cell costimulatory molecule CD28 in patients with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were (25. 80 ±10. 56) % and (28. 95 ±9. 29) % , and significantly higher than that of control group 〔(0. 82 ±0. 98) % , Plt; 0. 01〕. Expression percentage of total T cell (CD3 + ) in patient s with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were significantly lower than that of control group 〔(53. 61 ±13. 84) % and (55. 96 ±10. 68) % vs (72. 07 ±7. 83) % , Plt; 0. 01〕. Expression percentage of CD4 + T cell (CD4 + CD3 + ) in patients with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were significantly lower than that of control group 〔( 29. 84 ±9. 71) % and ( 33. 75 ±9. 04) % vs (38. 79 ±5. 08) %; Plt; 0. 01 , Plt; 0. 05〕; Expression percentage of CTL cell (CD8 + CD28 + CD3 + ) in patient s with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer were significantly higher than that of control group 〔( 1. 57 ±1. 99) % and (1. 93 ±2. 61) % vs (0. 02 ±0. 04) %; P lt; 0. 01〕; Expression percentage of CD8 + inhibitory T cell (CD8 + CD28 -CD 3 + ) and CD4 / CD8 ratio in patient s with gastric cancer were significantly lower than that of control group 〔(16. 06 ±6. 94) % vs (20. 56 ±6. 54) % , Plt; 0. 05 ; (1. 10 ±0. 51) % vs (1. 36 ±0. 31) % , P lt; 0. 05〕; Expression of regulatory T cell (CD4 + CD25 + CD3 + ) of patients with colorectal cancer was (19. 74 ±6. 89) % , which was significantly higher than that of control group 〔(13. 72 ±3. 08) % , Plt; 0. 01〕. No difference of expression was found in peripheral T cell subpopulations of postoperative patients with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer after one week ( Pgt; 0. 05) . Conclusion T cell number is fall ,T cell costimulatory molecule CD28 useless expression is increase in patient s with gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. CD4 + T cell subpopulation is significantly decreased in patient s with gast ric cancer. The regulatory T cell of patient s with colorectal cancer is significantly increased.
ObjectiveTo investigate the significant effect of costimulatory pathway B7CD28/CTLA4 on the islets of Langerhans transplantation. MethodsThe literatures were reviewed to summarize the molecular structure and functions of the pathway and the related animal experiments.ResultsThe costimulatory pathway B7CD28/CTLA4 was one of the signaling pathways of T cells activation and proliferation. If the costimulatory signals were absent, Tlymphocyte would be induced to the clonalanegy. Through blocking the costimulatory pathway mediated by CD28, CTLA4Ig prolonged to the islets of Langerhans survival in recipients. ConclusionBy the studies of the costimulatory pathway, it is helpful to understand the immune mechanism of the survival of islet grafts.
To verify the role of mAbCD28 in allograft transplantation. The biological action of mAbCD28 had been tested in mixed-lymphocyte-reaction and parathyroid gland allotranplantation in rats. Results: mAbCD28 could significantly suppress the proliferation of T cells in vitro and prolong the survival time of allograft in vivo. The results showed that mAbCD28 could block the costimulatory signals transmitted by CD28 molecules, and played an immunosuppressive role in parathyroid gland transplantation in rats.
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the clinical effects and health economics of lung volume reduction surgery（LVRS）, single lung transplantation（SLTx） and bilateral lung transplantation（BLTx） for patients with end-stage emphysema. Methods A total of 61 patients with end-stage emphysema, including 39 patients who underwent LVRS（LVRS group）, 14 patients who underwent SLTx（SLTx group）, and 8 patients who underwent BLTx（BLTx group） from September 2002 to August 2008 in Wuxi People’s Hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Lung function, arterial blood gas analysis and 6-minute walk distance（6-MWD）were assessed before their surgery and 6 months, 1-year and 3-year after their surgery respectively. Their 1-year and 3-year survival rates were observed. Cost-effectiveness analyses were made from a health economics perspective. Results Compared with their preoperative results, their mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second（FEV1.0）in LVRS group increased by 75%, 83% and 49% at 6 months, 1-year and 3-year postoperatively, by 176%, 162% and 100% in SLTx group, and by 260%, 280% and 198% in BLTx group respectively. Their mean forced vital capacity（FVC）in LVRS group increased by 21%, 41% and 40% at 6 months, 1-year and 3-year postoperatively, by 68% , 73% and 55% in SLTx group, and by 82%, 79% and 89% in BLTx group respectively. Their exercise endurance as measured by 6-MWD increased by 75%, 136% and 111% in LVRS group at 6 months, 1-year and 3-year postoperatively, by 513%, 677% and 608% in SLTx group, and by 762%, 880% and 741% in BLTx group respectively. The 1-year and 3-year survival rates after operation were 74.40% and 58.90% in LVRS group, 85.80% and 64.30% in SLTxgroup, and 62.50% and 50.00% in BLTx group respectively. The three years’ cost utility of SLTx group was significantly higher than that of BLTx group（1 668.00 vs.1 168.55, P＜ 0.05）and LVRS group （1 668.00 vs. 549.46, P＜ 0.05）. Conclusion SLTx and BLTx are better than LVRS in improving patients’ lung function and exercise endurance for end-stage emphysema patients. LVRS is more cost-effective than SLTx and BLTx in the early postoperative period. With the development of medical technology and decreased expenses of lung transplantation and immunosuppressive agents, lung transplantation will become the first surgical choice for end-stage emphysema patients.