PHARMACOECONOMICS
6
The higher the BP, the greater the burden Severe hypertension is associated with greater life-year losses, work-year losses and costs than 'normotension', according to the results of a 19-year study in Finland. However, the impact of mild hypertension relative to 'normotension' is not so clear. The researchers found that, relative to patients with 'normotension' (diastolic BP < 95mm Hg), those with severe hypertension (diastolic BP> l04mm Hg) lost a significant number of life-years (mean 2.7 years for men and 2 years for women) and a significant number of work-years (mean 2.6 and 2.2 years) over the study period.
Gender differences Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related drug costs were significantly greater for mildly and severely hypertensive men compared with 'normotensive' men ($USlooo and $US2200 vs $US400 per patient over 19 years, respectively).* The same pattern was seen in women; however, overall CVD-related drug costs were higher for women than for men. Hospitalisation costs did not differ between diastolic BP categories for men. However, all-cause hospitalisation costs and those due to CVD alone were significantly greater for women with severe hypertension than for women with 'normal' diastolic BP or women with mild hypertension. Productivity losses because of all causes of premature death and disability were significantly different in men and women between both severely hypertensive and 'normotensive' patients. Study baseline data were drawn from a 1972 population survey conducted in 2 eastern Finnish provinces involving nearly 11 000 subjects aged 25-29 years. Major national registers were used to collect follow-up data regarding morbidity and mortality over the 19-year period from 1972 to 1991.
* Costs were reported in 1992 values and were discounted at 5% per amtU111.
Kiiskinen U, et aI. Long-term cost and life-expectancy consequences of bypenension. Journal of Hypenension 16: 1103-1112, Aug 1998
Inpharma- 5 Sep 1998 No. 1153
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117a-8324198111 5a-0006/$01 .Off' Adl. Intemlltional Limited 1998. All rights rnMved
