How are patients managing with the costs of care for chronic kidney disease in Australia? A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a financial burden on patients and their households. This descriptive study measures the prevalence of economic hardship and out-of-pocket costs in an Australian CKD population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of patients receiving care for CKD (stage III-V) in Western Sydney, Australia using a structured questionnaire. Data collection occurred between November 2010 and April 2011. Multivariate analyses assessed the relationships between economic hardship and individual, household and health system characteristics.

Results

The study included 247 prevalent CKD patients. A mean of AUD$907 per three months was paid out-of-pocket resulting in 71% (n=153) of participants experiencing financial catastrophe (out-of-pocket costs e

SUBMITTER: Essue BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3698195 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature