Cost-effectiveness of the deep vein thrombosis diagnosis process in primary care

Objective: To analyse the cost effectiveness of the application of diagnostic algorithms in patients with a first episode of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Primary Care compared with systematic referral to specialised centres. Design: Observational, cross-sectional, analytical study. Locati...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Camps, EF, Garcia, JLD, Montoya, SB, Hmimina, SH, Jabalera, EG, Perez, MAM
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:España
Institución:Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau)
Repositorio:r-IIB SANT PAU. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau
OAI Identifier:oai:iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com:p7391
Acceso en línea:https://iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=7391
http://ddd.uab.cat/record/238838
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Deep vein thrombosis
Diagnosis
Cost effectiveness analysis
Primary care
Descripción
Sumario:Objective: To analyse the cost effectiveness of the application of diagnostic algorithms in patients with a first episode of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Primary Care compared with systematic referral to specialised centres. Design: Observational, cross-sectional, analytical study. Location: Patients from hospital emergency rooms referred from Primary Care to complete clinical evaluation and diagnosis. Participants: A total of 138 patients with symptoms of a first episode of DVT were recruited; 22 were excluded (no Primary Care report, symptoms for more than 30 days, anticoagulant treatment, and previous DVT). Of the 116 patients finally included, 61% women and the mean age was 71 years. Main measurements: Variables from the Wells and Oudega clinical probability scales, D-dimer (portable and hospital), Doppler ultrasound, and direct costs generated by the three algorithms analysed: all patients were referred systematically, referral according to Wells and Oudega scale. Results: DVT was confirmed in 18.9%. The two clinical probability scales showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 85.1 to 100) and a specificity of about 40%. With the application of the scales, one third of all referrals to hospital emergency rooms could have been avoided (P<.001). The diagnostic cost could have been reduced by (sic) 8,620 according to Oudega and (sic) 9,741 according to Wells, per 100 patients visited. Conclusion: The application of diagnostic algorithms when a DVT is suspected could lead to better diagnostic management by physicians, and a more cost effective process. (C) 2015 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.