Buja, Alessandra, Rebba, Vincenzo, Montecchio, Laura, Renzo, Giulia, Baldo, Vincenzo, Cocchio, Silvia, Ferri, Nicola, Migliore, Federico, Zorzi, Alessandro, Collins, Brendan 
ORCID: 0000-0002-3023-8189 et al (show 6 more authors)
(2024)
The Cost of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review
VALUE IN HEALTH, 27 (4).
pp. 527-541.
ISSN 1098-3015, 1524-4733
Abstract
Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, with an increasing incidence and prevalence because of progressively aging populations. Costs related to AF are both direct and indirect. This systematic review aims to identify the main cost drivers of the illness, assess the potential economic impact resulting from changes in care strategies, and propose interventions where they are most needed. Methods: A systematic literature search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed to identify analytical observational studies defining the cost of illness in cases of AF. The search strategy was based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 recommendations. Results: Of the 944 articles retrieved, 24 met the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted in several countries. All studies calculated the direct medical costs, whereas 8 of 24 studies assessed indirect costs. The median annual direct medical cost per patient, considering all studies, was €9409 (13 333 US dollars in purchasing power parities), with a very large variability due to the heterogeneity of different analyses. Hospitalization costs are generally the main cost drivers. Comorbidities and complications, such as stroke, considerably increase the average annual direct medical cost of AF. Conclusions: In most of the analyzed studies, inpatient care cost represents the main component of the mean direct medical cost per patient. Stroke and heart failure are responsible for a large share of the total costs; therefore, implementing guidelines to manage comorbidities in AF is a necessary step to improve health and mitigate healthcare costs.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | atrial fibrillation, comorbidities, cost of illness, direct costs, indirect costs. |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Feb 2024 08:05 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jun 2026 20:11 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jval.2023.12.015 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2023.12.015 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3178274 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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