Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic disease caused by the larva of the zoonotic cestode Taenia solium. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the distribution of presenting clinical manifestations of NCC, to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics of NCC patients, to compare quality of life of individuals diagnosed with NCC with an age and sex matched control population and to estimate the non-monetary burden of NCC in Mexico. In order to accomplish these objectives, a case series of NCC patients was conducted in two neurology referral hospitals in Mexico City, Mexico during 2007-2008. Information on clinical manifestations associated with NCC was obtained via medical chart reviews of NCC patients. Information on socio-demographic characteristics of NCC patients was obtained through the administration of questionnaires. In addition, a cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the quality of life of NCC patients to an age and sex matched control population using the short form 12 v2 (SF-12 v2) survey. Non-monetary burden of NCC in Mexico was estimated using disability adjusted life years (DALYs), incorporating morbidity due to both NCC-associated epilepsy and severe headache and mortality due to NCC-associated epilepsy. NCC patients presented to the neurology referral hospitals with numerous clinical manifestations, with severe headache and epilepsy being the most common. Lack of knowledge of T. solium transmission was common among NCC patients, with 25 percent of patients not knowledgeable about tapeworm infections in humans. Of those that were aware that tapeworm infections do occur, 57 percent were not aware of how the worms were transmitted to humans. The SF-12 v2 general health survey showed that individuals with NCC had a significantly lower score for all eight domains of health evaluated (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, general health, social functioning, role emotional and mental health) compared with the age and sex matched population from the same region (p< 0.05). The mean total number of DALYs lost due to NCC in Mexico was estimated to be 99,866 (95 percent CR: 43,187 –189,182), with a mean of 0.95 (95 percent CR: 0.4–1.8) DALYs lost per thousand persons per year.

Introduction: The majority of the European population live in urban areas (UAs). Policy making in urban areas is complex and the use of summary and aggregate measures for public health are important tools. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) are important for national and international comparison. However, DALYs have not been calculated at urban level. Alcohol is an important European urban public health problem. Therefore the aim of this study was to calculate urban level DALYs attributable to alcohol consumption in Europe(AA-DALYs) and years of life lost (AA-YLL). This work was one of the deliverables of the European Urban Health Indicator System Part II (EURO-URHIS 2), a European Commission funded project. Methodology Design: This is a cross sectional study with four components to be able to calculate comparable DALYs. The boundary study determined the denominator to ensure comparability and facilitate identification of the UAs to be included in the study. The systematic review and national level DALY calculations were used to develop the methodology for calculating AA-DALYs, including AA-YLL. The main methodology was to calculate AA-DALYs and AA-YLL were calculated for comparison between UAs, but also to measure the relationship between alcohol policy strength (measured using the Alcohol Policy Index) and harms to health. Results: It was possible to calculate urban level AA-DALY and AA-YLL for males and females and for different age groups in 20 different UAs. There was no association at either national (p=0.15) or urban level with AA-DALYs and AA-YLL and API score. Clustering of the countries by European region may have influenced the lack of association as well as the need for further refinements of the API to include enforcement. Mean male (female) AA-YLL was 12.75 (3.23) per 1000 population (p<0.0001). Mean male (female) AA-DALYs was 18.85 (3.88) per 1000 population (p<0.0001). There were significant differences between mean male and female AA-DALYs and AA-YLL which were not present when the protective indicators were removed from the calculation. The mean effect size between all ages and the 15-79 year age groups were significant for AA-DALYs and AA-YLLs (p<0.0001).Conclusions: Comparable AA-DALYs and AA-YLL can be calculated at urban level. National level DALYs mask the intra-national differences observed within cities. AA-DALYs and AA-YLL can be used as a summary measure to help policy makers determine the outcomes of their alcohol policy strategies in cities of Europe. Morbidity data availability undermines AA-DALY estimates, but AA-YLL estimates were based on robust data on causes of death at the urban level. Future work will replicate this method for more risk factors for YLL.

The concept of disability adjusted life years (DALY) came forward in the early 1990’s to be used as a measurement of the burden of disease. The DALY combines the burden with regard to premature death and years lived with a disease. Much criticism has been raised since then with regard to e.g. ethics. This thesis focuses on the lack of contextual aspects of the DALY-concept because the measurement has a universal standard for all diseases in all countries. One aim of the study is to describe how regional and cultural context influence the view of disability and therefore contradicts with the underlying approaches of the DALY-concept. The regional and cultural differences are illustrated by examples like paraple-gia. Published burden of disease studies are examined for contextual considerations. The conclusion of the analysis is that regional and cultural issues are not taken into ac-count when using the DALY-approach of health assessments in public health. The second aim of the study is to discuss who should value the life of disabled. Follow-ing the transition of health, different views of fair health have developed and the need of health care. Underlying this assessment is an implicit valuation of disabilities among lay-people and health care professionals. If one uses DALY as a general measurement for the burden of disease and prioritising resources for disabled it is discussed who should be involved in the calculation of disability weights and a model for the collabo-ration is described. The conclusion is that lay people must be involved in a facilitated process. Overall the thesis show that the development of DALY is a serious attempt to give a simple tool for understanding and prioritise the complex challenges in public health. At present, an agenda for development of contextual DALY’s is needed. / Begrebet Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) kom frem i starten af 1990’erne som et redskab til at måle sygdomsbyrde. DALY kombinerer sygdomsbyrden med hensyn til for tidlig død og år levet med handicap. Megen kritik af DALY er rejst fx i forhold til etiske aspekter. Denne opgave fokuserer på manglen på kontekst i DALY-konceptet fordi instrumentet anvender en universel standard for alle sygdomme på tværs af lande. Ét formål med opgaven er at beskrive hvorledes regionale og kulturelle sammenhænge influerer synet på handicap og dermed er i modstrid med de bagvedliggende antagelser i DALY-konceptet. De regionale og kulturelle forskelle er illustreret ved eksempler som paraplegi. Publicerede sygdomsbyrde studier gennemgås i sammenhæng med regionale eller kulturelle overvejelser. Analysen konklusion er, at regionale og kulturelle hensyn ikke indarbejdet i DALY tilgangen. Det andet formål med opgaven er at diskutere, hvem skal vurdere handicappedes liv. Som følge af udviklingen af befolkningernes sundhedstilstand har opfattelse af helbred og adgang til sundhedsvæsenet ændret sig. I bedømmelsen heraf ligger en implicit vurdering af handicap bland såvel lægfolk som sundhedsprofessionelle. Hvis man anvender DALY som generelt mål for sygdomsbyrden og prioriterer på baggrund heraf, så diskuteres hvem der skal deltage i værdisætningen af vægtene, der indgår i beregningerne. En model for samarbejde omkring vægtene beskrives. Konklusionen er, at lægfolk bør involveres i processen med støtte af udefra kommende konsulenter. Overordnet viser opgaven, at udviklingen af DALY er et seriøst tiltag på et simpelt værktøj til at forstå og prioritere komplekse udfordringer i folkesundheden. For indeværende er der behov for en dagsorden for videreudviklingen af kontekstrelateret DALYs. / <p>ISBN 91-7997-155-5</p>

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) versus the 13-valent PCV (PCV13) to the National Immunization Schedule in Peru for prevention of pneumococcal disease (PD) in children <5 years of age. Methods The integrated TRIVAC vaccine cost-effectiveness model from the Pan American Health Organization's ProVac Initiative (version 2.0) was applied from the perspective of the Government of Peru. Twenty successive cohorts of children from birth to 5 years were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were pneumococcal pneumonia (PP), pneumococcal meningitis (PM), pneumococcal sepsis (PS) and acute otitis media from any causes (AOM). Measures included prevention of cases, neurological sequelae (NS), auditory sequelae (AS), deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs). A sensitivity analyses was also performed. Findings For the 20 cohorts, net costs with PCV10 and PCV13 were US$ 363.26 million and US$ 408.26 million, respectively. PCV10 prevented 570,273 AOM; 79,937 PP; 2217 PM; 3049 PS; 282 NS; 173 AS; and 7512 deaths. PCV13 prevented 419,815 AOM; 112,331 PN; 3116 PM; 4285 PS; 404 NS; 248 AS; and 10,386 deaths. Avoided DALYs were 226,370 with PCV10 and 313,119 with PCV13. Saved treatment costs were US$ 37.39 million with PCV10 and US$ 47.22 million with PCV13. Costs per DALY averted were US$ 1605 for PCV10, and US$ 1304 for PCV13. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results. PCV13 has an extended dominance over PCV10. Conclusion Both pneumococcal vaccines are cost effective in the Peruvian context. Although the net cost of vaccination with PCV10 is lower, PCV13 prevented more deaths, pneumococcal complications and sequelae. Costs per each prevented DALY were lower with PCV13. Thus, PCV13 would be the preferred policy; PCV10 would also be reasonable (and cost-saving relative to the status quo) if for some reason 13-valent were not feasible. / This study was presented at 9th International Symposium of Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases, Hyderabad, India, March 2014, and supported by the National Council of Science, Technology and Technological Innovation of Peru (CONCYTEC) and International Clinical Epidemiology Network (INCLEN Trust) / This study was made possible through the financial support of the Instituto Nacional de Salud (National Institute of Health, Lima, Peru) and the PROVAC Initiative of the Pan American Health Organization (Washington, DC, USA).

No description available.

INTRODUÇÃO. O uso abusivo de álcool impõe alto custo econômico à sociedade O seu consumo está relacionado a importantes conseqüências adversas, como situações de intoxicação, a própria dependência, acidentes de carro, episódios de violência e outros. JUSTIFICATIVA. A discussão sobre o custo social do uso do álcool se mostra pertinente no Brasil, visto que seu impacto perpassa o acometimento apenas do paciente, mas também de outras esferas sociais onde este sujeito está inserido. OBJETIVOS. Estimar o custo social, ou seja, os custos direto (internações e atendimentos ambulatoriais) e indireto (mortalidade e incapacidade) das principais doenças diretamente relacionadas ao uso do álcool dependência ao álcool, cardiomiopatia alcoólica, gastrite alcoólica, doença alcoólica do fígado, pancreatite crônica induzida por álcool e síndrome alcoólica fetal no Brasil no ano de 2007. MATERIAL E MÉTODO. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo exploratório, descritivo e transversal. Foram considerados o total de internações, de atendimentos ambulatoriais e de registros de mortalidade hospitalar relativos às doenças diagnosticadas como causas diretas do abuso do álcool no Brasil no ano de 2007. Todos os dados foram coletados junto ao DATASUS (Departamento de Informática do SUS). O cálculo do custo social foi realizado a partir dos Anos de Vida Perdidos por Mortalidade e Incapacidade, multiplicados pelo valor do rendimento médio mensal de todos os trabalhos assalariados no Brasil, calculado por sexo e nível de escolaridade. RESULTADOS. O valor do Custo Social do uso do álcool no Brasil no ano de 2007 foi de R$8.562.680.331,00. Na formação desse valor, 79,67% corresponderam aos custos que ocorreram na população masculina. Nas regiões Norte, Nordeste, Centro-Oeste, Sudeste e Sul, os valores foram, respectivamente, R$255.097.103,00; R$1.025.139.711,00; R$935.799.783,00; R$4.829.791.323,00 e R$1.931.717.630,00. DISCUSSÃO. Na maioria dos diagnósticos, o maior valor do custo social encontra-se entre os anos 40-49, faixa etária de maior participação no mercado de trabalho brasileiro. Ou seja, os brasileiros que estão sofrendo os agravos do uso do álcool, ocasionando o maior impacto socioeconômico, são aqueles que, em tese, deveriam compor o grupo de pessoas da população economicamente ativa, contribuindo para o enriquecimento do país. A região Sul é a terceira maior em termos populacionais, a segunda de maior valor do custo social e a primeira com o maior percentual de padrão de consumo problemático, demonstrando que há uma relação direta entre o padrão de consumo de álcool e o impacto socioeconômico gerado pelo seu uso, uma vez que essa região, mesmo sendo a terceira mais populosa, assume o segundo lugar em termos de custo, já que é a região de maior prevalência de bebedores problemáticos. CONCLUSÃO. Os dados apresentados demonstram a necessidade de se investir em ações de prevenção e tratamento dirigidas a públicos distintos, como a população masculina, economicamente ativa e os residentes da região Sul do país. Porém, são apenas estimativas, tendo a necessidade de serem ampliados de modo a considerar todas as conseqüências advindas desse uso e que geram ônus ao país, para que seja possível promover subsídios concretos para a devida elaboração de políticas públicas, baseadas em evidências científicas para o benefício de todos / Alcohol abuse imposes high economical cost to society. It´s use is related to important adverse consequences such as intoxication, dependence, car accidents, violence episodes and others. MEAN. The debate around the social cost regarding alcohol consumption has been prove to be relevant in Brazil since it´s impact goes beyond the patient himself, but is also involved in other social spheres where he belongs. OBJECTIVE. To assess the social costs, direct (internments and outpatient appointments) and indirect (mortality and incapacity), of the main diseases related to alcohol consumption alcohol dependence, alcoholic cardiomiopathy, alcoholic gastrititis, alcoholic disease of the liver, chronic pancreatitis induced by alcohol and fetal alcoholic syndrome in Brazil in the year of 2007. MATERIAL AND METHOD. This is an exploratory, descriptive and transversal study. In this study we considered the total number of internments, of outpatient appointments, and of registrations of mortality related to diseases diagnosed as the cause of alcohol abuse that occurred in Brazil in 2007. All data were collected at DATASUS (Department of Computer Science of SUS). The calculation of the social costs was accomplished by multiplying the Disability Adjusted Life Years with the value of monthly medium income of all salaried works in Brazil, considering gender and education level. RESULTS. The total value of the social costs caused by alcohol consumption in Brazil in 2007 was R$8.562.680.331,00. 79,67% of this value corresponded to the male population. In the North, Northeast, Center-West, Southeast and South region, the values were R$255.097.103,00; R$1.025.139.711,00; R$935.799.783,00; R$4.829.791.323,00 and R$1.931.717.630,00 respectively. DISCUSSION. The majority of the diagnoses revealed that the biggest value of social costs is among people between 40 and 49 years old. People in this age group have the largest participation in the Brazilian job market. In other words, the Brazilians who suffer the worst effects of alcohol consumption are those who are part of the economically active population, therefore causing the largest socioeconomic impact. South region has the third largest population, second in value of social cost and first in prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption. This observation demonstrates that there is a direct relationship between the pattern of alcohol consumption and the socioeconomic impact by it´s use. Because the South region has the biggest prevalence of problematic drinkers, it stands as the second place in terms of social costs, even being the third most populous region. CONCLUSION. The present data demonstrates the need to invest in prevention and treatment directed to different targets: the economically active male population, and the residents of the South region of the country. Although we have presented here interesting estimates, further studies need to be made in order to become possible to promote concrete subsidies for the elaboration of public policy for the benefit of the whole country

INTRODUÇÃO. O uso abusivo de álcool impõe alto custo econômico à sociedade O seu consumo está relacionado a importantes conseqüências adversas, como situações de intoxicação, a própria dependência, acidentes de carro, episódios de violência e outros. JUSTIFICATIVA. A discussão sobre o custo social do uso do álcool se mostra pertinente no Brasil, visto que seu impacto perpassa o acometimento apenas do paciente, mas também de outras esferas sociais onde este sujeito está inserido. OBJETIVOS. Estimar o custo social, ou seja, os custos direto (internações e atendimentos ambulatoriais) e indireto (mortalidade e incapacidade) das principais doenças diretamente relacionadas ao uso do álcool dependência ao álcool, cardiomiopatia alcoólica, gastrite alcoólica, doença alcoólica do fígado, pancreatite crônica induzida por álcool e síndrome alcoólica fetal no Brasil no ano de 2007. MATERIAL E MÉTODO. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo exploratório, descritivo e transversal. Foram considerados o total de internações, de atendimentos ambulatoriais e de registros de mortalidade hospitalar relativos às doenças diagnosticadas como causas diretas do abuso do álcool no Brasil no ano de 2007. Todos os dados foram coletados junto ao DATASUS (Departamento de Informática do SUS). O cálculo do custo social foi realizado a partir dos Anos de Vida Perdidos por Mortalidade e Incapacidade, multiplicados pelo valor do rendimento médio mensal de todos os trabalhos assalariados no Brasil, calculado por sexo e nível de escolaridade. RESULTADOS. O valor do Custo Social do uso do álcool no Brasil no ano de 2007 foi de R$8.562.680.331,00. Na formação desse valor, 79,67% corresponderam aos custos que ocorreram na população masculina. Nas regiões Norte, Nordeste, Centro-Oeste, Sudeste e Sul, os valores foram, respectivamente, R$255.097.103,00; R$1.025.139.711,00; R$935.799.783,00; R$4.829.791.323,00 e R$1.931.717.630,00. DISCUSSÃO. Na maioria dos diagnósticos, o maior valor do custo social encontra-se entre os anos 40-49, faixa etária de maior participação no mercado de trabalho brasileiro. Ou seja, os brasileiros que estão sofrendo os agravos do uso do álcool, ocasionando o maior impacto socioeconômico, são aqueles que, em tese, deveriam compor o grupo de pessoas da população economicamente ativa, contribuindo para o enriquecimento do país. A região Sul é a terceira maior em termos populacionais, a segunda de maior valor do custo social e a primeira com o maior percentual de padrão de consumo problemático, demonstrando que há uma relação direta entre o padrão de consumo de álcool e o impacto socioeconômico gerado pelo seu uso, uma vez que essa região, mesmo sendo a terceira mais populosa, assume o segundo lugar em termos de custo, já que é a região de maior prevalência de bebedores problemáticos. CONCLUSÃO. Os dados apresentados demonstram a necessidade de se investir em ações de prevenção e tratamento dirigidas a públicos distintos, como a população masculina, economicamente ativa e os residentes da região Sul do país. Porém, são apenas estimativas, tendo a necessidade de serem ampliados de modo a considerar todas as conseqüências advindas desse uso e que geram ônus ao país, para que seja possível promover subsídios concretos para a devida elaboração de políticas públicas, baseadas em evidências científicas para o benefício de todos / Alcohol abuse imposes high economical cost to society. It´s use is related to important adverse consequences such as intoxication, dependence, car accidents, violence episodes and others. MEAN. The debate around the social cost regarding alcohol consumption has been prove to be relevant in Brazil since it´s impact goes beyond the patient himself, but is also involved in other social spheres where he belongs. OBJECTIVE. To assess the social costs, direct (internments and outpatient appointments) and indirect (mortality and incapacity), of the main diseases related to alcohol consumption alcohol dependence, alcoholic cardiomiopathy, alcoholic gastrititis, alcoholic disease of the liver, chronic pancreatitis induced by alcohol and fetal alcoholic syndrome in Brazil in the year of 2007. MATERIAL AND METHOD. This is an exploratory, descriptive and transversal study. In this study we considered the total number of internments, of outpatient appointments, and of registrations of mortality related to diseases diagnosed as the cause of alcohol abuse that occurred in Brazil in 2007. All data were collected at DATASUS (Department of Computer Science of SUS). The calculation of the social costs was accomplished by multiplying the Disability Adjusted Life Years with the value of monthly medium income of all salaried works in Brazil, considering gender and education level. RESULTS. The total value of the social costs caused by alcohol consumption in Brazil in 2007 was R$8.562.680.331,00. 79,67% of this value corresponded to the male population. In the North, Northeast, Center-West, Southeast and South region, the values were R$255.097.103,00; R$1.025.139.711,00; R$935.799.783,00; R$4.829.791.323,00 and R$1.931.717.630,00 respectively. DISCUSSION. The majority of the diagnoses revealed that the biggest value of social costs is among people between 40 and 49 years old. People in this age group have the largest participation in the Brazilian job market. In other words, the Brazilians who suffer the worst effects of alcohol consumption are those who are part of the economically active population, therefore causing the largest socioeconomic impact. South region has the third largest population, second in value of social cost and first in prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption. This observation demonstrates that there is a direct relationship between the pattern of alcohol consumption and the socioeconomic impact by it´s use. Because the South region has the biggest prevalence of problematic drinkers, it stands as the second place in terms of social costs, even being the third most populous region. CONCLUSION. The present data demonstrates the need to invest in prevention and treatment directed to different targets: the economically active male population, and the residents of the South region of the country. Although we have presented here interesting estimates, further studies need to be made in order to become possible to promote concrete subsidies for the elaboration of public policy for the benefit of the whole country

Cost-utility analysis is one method of determining the cost effectiveness of nursing interventions. It is heralded by the World Health Organization as the measure to determine allocation of resources. This method of measurement includes calculation of both the cost of quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and the cost of disability-adjusted life years (DALY). The purpose of this article is to present cost-utility analysis as a relevant measure for describing the value of registered nurses. First the article will present a short overview of cost effectiveness, along with a discussion of two cost-effectiveness measures, cost-effective analysis and cost-utility analysis. Then the measurement of quality-adjusted life years and disability-adjusted life years will be presented. The article will conclude by challenging nurses to develop cost-utility analyses into a meaningful and useful methodology that can provide nursing with a process to measure the economic outcomes of our nursing interventions.

Cost-utility analysis is one method of determining the cost effectiveness of nursing interventions. It is heralded by the World Health Organization as the measure to determine allocation of resources. This method of measurement includes calculation of both the cost of quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and the cost of disability-adjusted life years (DALY). The purpose of this article is to present cost-utility analysis as a relevant measure for describing the value of registered nurses. First the article will present a short overview of cost effectiveness, along with a discussion of two cost-effectiveness measures, cost-effective analysis and cost-utility analysis. Then the measurement of quality-adjusted life years and disability-adjusted life years will be presented. The article will conclude by challenging nurses to develop cost-utility analyses into a meaningful and useful methodology that can provide nursing with a process to measure the economic outcomes of our nursing interventions.

Rationale Epilepsy is a common, chronic, neurological condition that disproportionately affects individuals living in low- and middle- income countries, including much of sub-Saharan Africa. Epilepsy is treatable, with the majority of individuals who take anti-epileptic drugs experiencing a reduction, or elimination, of seizures. Yet the number of individuals taking and adhering to medication in Africa is low and interventions aimed at improving treatment are lacking. Aims To define the epidemiology of convulsive epilepsy in rural South Africa in terms of incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years; to determine outpatient, out-of-pocket costs resulting from epilepsy treatment; to establish the level of adherence to anti-epileptic drugs amongst people with epilepsy; and, to determine whether the introduction of routine visits to people with epilepsy by community health workers is a cost-effective intervention for improving adherence to anti-epileptic drugs. Methods Nested within the Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System, this work utilized a cohort of individuals diagnosed with convulsive epilepsy in 2008 to determine health care utilization and out-of-pocket costs due to care sought for epilepsy. Additionally, using blood samples from the cohort, anti-epileptic drug adherence was measured and, following the cohort, mortality rates were determined. Using these collected epidemiological parameters, disability-adjusted life years due to convulsive epilepsy were determined. Finally, combining the epidemiological and cost parameters, a community health worker intervention was modeled to determine its incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Key Findings The burden of convulsive epilepsy is lower in rural South Africa than other parts of Africa, likely due to lower levels of known risk factors. Yet the burden, especially in terms of mortality, remains high, as does the treatment gap and health care utilization. Findings from the economic evaluation found the introduction of a community health worker to be highly cost-effective and would likely lower the burden of epilepsy in rural South Africa. Implications Epilepsy contributes to the burden of disease in rural South Africa, with high levels of mortality and a substantial treatment gap. The introduction of a community-health worker is likely to be one cost-effective, community based intervention that would lower the burden of epilepsy by improving adherence to anti-epileptic drugs. Implementing this intervention, based on these findings, is a justified and important next step.