Direct costs of transient ischemic attacks: a hospital-based study of resource use during the first year after transient ischemic attacks in Denmark.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Knowledge of costs of health care and social services for patients who have transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is scarce. This study investigates the resource use and estimates direct costs during the first year after a TIA.

METHODS

All patients admitted to a university hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, because of TIA during 12 months in 1994-1995 were included in a database. The patients were followed until 1 year after admission, and data on resource use during and after the hospital stay were collected prospectively at interviews.

RESULTS

The cost of the hospital stay had a mean of DKr 10100 (US $1800), and the cost of health care and social services after discharge had a mean of DKr 8800 (US $1600).

CONCLUSIONS

The total cost of health care and social services during the first year after a TIA had a mean of DKr 18800. The hospital stay and the services after discharge each made up half of the total direct cost.