NEPHROLITHIASIS IN VIETNAM: AN ANALYSIS OF TREATMENT COSTS IN A UROLOGICAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Nephrolithiasis imposes a weighty economic burden on individuals and their
families, the healthcare system and society.
Objectives: This study was aimed at assessing the costs of treating nephrolithiasis and
deriving data on the economic burden of kidney stone disease in actual clinical practice in
Vietnam.
Methods: This prospective study was grounded in a prevalence- and social perspective-based
approach and was conducted in 2017 to estimate the direct and indirect costs incurred from
nephrolithiasis treatment.
Results: The pre-hospital costs borne by inpatients and outpatients in 2017 were 3,087,260
and 3,031,427 VND, respectively, out of which indirect expenses accounted for the highest
proportion at over 80% in both groups. The average costs of hospital treatment incurred by
the inpatients and outpatients were 21,078,385 and 5,658,313 VND, respectively, amongst
which direct medical costs constituted the highest percentage at more than 80% in both
groups. The average costs of hospital visits for the patients were 2,101,558 and 1,976,736
VND, respectively. The largest share out of these amounts is that of indirect costs, which
exceeded 80% of the total in both patient groups.
Conclusion: Nephrolithiasis management and treatment cause considerable financial
hardship on the public healthcare system of Vietnam. Analytically demonstrating the
magnitude of this economic impact may help facilitate health and social policy interventions
for improving the prevention and treatment of the disease.