[Study on the direct economic burden and relevant influencing factors of 233 multidrug/rifampicin-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Jiangsu Province].

Objective

To explore the direct economic burden and factors affecting out-of-pocket direct costs of multidrug-/rifampicin-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR/RR-PTB) patients in Jiangsu Province.

Methods

MDR/RR-PTB patients diagnosed and treated at 13 municipal tuberculosis (TB)-designated hospitals in Jiangsu Province between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, were included, and basic information and direct economic costs were obtained through questionnaires and hospital information systems. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing patients' out-of-pocket direct costs.

Results

The age of the 233 MDR/RR-PTB patients was (44.04±15.64) years. The M(Q1, Q3) direct medical expense of the patients was 134 051.00 (98 934.01,163 205.73) Yuan, of which the M(Q1,Q3) reimbursement by health insurance or policy reduction was 100 462.10 (78 120.00,130 816.00) Yuan, and the M(Q1,Q3) out-of-pocket direct medical expense was 21 694.62 (14 734.83,37 813.00) Yuan. The M(Q1,Q3) direct non-medical expense was 4 971.00 (3 138.00,7 870.00) Yuan. Age, registered residence location, TB resulting in divorce or separation from spouse or partner, drug resistance test results, and treatment regimens were the influencing factors associated with out-of-pocket direct costs for MDR/RR-PTB patients.

Conclusions

The direct economic burden caused by MDR/RR-PTB in Jiangsu Province is heavy. It is necessary to emphasize psychological guidance and care for MDR/RR-PTB patients, improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of MDR/RR-PTB, and effectively reduce the economic burden of MDR/RR-PTB patients.