Resource utilisation and cost of cervical cancer and dysplasia in Croatia

Purpose of investigation: To analyse resource utilisation and costs due to cervical cancer and dysplasia in Croatia. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer were identified from the Croatian National Cancer Registry. Resource utilisation and costs of cervical cancer treatment for the period of five years after the date of diagnosis were retrieved from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund Claims Database. Patients diagnosed with cervical dysplasia were identified and their resource utilisation and treatment costs during one year following diagnosis were obtained from the Croatian Health Insurance Fund Claims Database. Results were calculated for different healthcare services and disease stages. Results: There were 346 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008. Total costs of treatment in the five-year period were 2, 177, 071 Euros, while average cost of treatment per patient was 6, 403 Euros. The largest shares of total costs were costs for hospitalisations (73%), followed by outpatient healthcare (17%), and personal sick leave (7%). There were also 14, 913 patients with cervical dysplasia diagnosed in 2012. Total costs of their treatment during one year after the diagnosis were 1, 609, 073 Euros, with average costs per patient of 108 Euros. Outpatient care (48%), followed by hospitalisations (45%), and prescribed medicines (6%) had the greatest share of total costs. Conclusion: Treatment of cervical cancer and dysplasia in Croatia is associated with significant costs and healthcare resource utilisation.