Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Stroke has an enormous impact on society, both socially and economically. It is the most common cause of admission and prolonged stay in the Neurology ward. METHODS: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of stroke treatment in the Complejo Hospitalario de Santiago de Compostela, where patients are treated in a stroke unit. Firstly, an analysis of the costs of treatment in the stroke unit was carried out, which had not been done before. The costs were compared with those that would be incurred if the disease was treated without the stroke unit, verifying that the existence of such a unit implies an increase in treatment costs. Next, various parameters reflecting the efficacy of the treatment were analyzed to finally perform a cost-effectiveness analysis in order to determine whether the increase in costs is justified by an improvement in outcomes. RESULTS: Stroke treatment in the centralized stroke unit would be cost-effective if we use mortality during hospitalization or 3 months after discharge, the mRS parameter at discharge or 3 months after discharge, and severe disability at discharge as measures of effectiveness. CONCLUSION: The increased costs of a stroke unit are justified by the improved health of the patients.