@article{3173685,
    title = "The heart failure pandemic: The clinical and economic burden in Greece",
    author = "Stafylas, P. and Farmakis, D. and Kourlaba, G. and Giamouzis, G. and and Tsarouhas, K. and Maniadakis, N. and Parissis, J.",
    journal = "International Journal of Cardiology",
    year = "2017",
    volume = "227",
    pages = "923-929",
    publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
    issn = "0167-5273",
    doi = "10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.10.042",
    keywords = "Heart failure; Epidemiology; Hospitalisations; Economic burden; Cost",
    abstract = "Background: The objective of this study was to identify the
epidemiological and clinical characteristics of heart failure (HF)
patients in Greece as well as the economic burden and the distribution
of costs for the management of the disease.
Methods: Eight Greek secondary and tertiary cardiology centres from
different cities have participated in a prospective, observational
survey, the ESC HF Pilot Survey. 307 patients with HF, 177 hospitalised
and 130 outpatients, have been recruited and monitored for 12 months.
Clinical and epidemiological data, along with data on mortality,
hospitalisations and health care resources used have been collected. The
economic evaluation was conducted from the social security system
perspective.
Results: The annual mortality rate was 24.3% for the hospitalised
patients vs 7.7% for the outpatients (P < 0.001) and the annual
rehospitalisation rate was 42.9% vs 19.2% respectively (P < 0.001).
Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that patients with kidney dysfunction, S3
gallop and higher NYHA class have a significantly worse survival. The
mean annual economic burden of the social security system per HF patient
was estimated at (sic)4411 +/- 4764. About two thirds of this cost is
due to in-patient care.
Conclusions: Despite the progress in the management of the disease,
about one in four hospitalised patients dies and four in ten are
rehospitalised in less than one year. Moreover, the disease imposes a
significant economic burden for the social security system and national
economy. Their findings suggest that there is still need of more
effective drug treatment and efficient disease management programs
focused in the reduction of the hospital admissions. (C) 2016 Published
by Elsevier Ireland Ltd."
}