Evaluation of the cost and care outcomes by group related to the diagnosis of bariatric surgery

Abstract

Background: To conduct a comprehensive assessment of real patient data undergoing the procedure within a healthcare provider, integrating both costs and care stages related to bariatric surgery, emphasizing the relevance of analysis by Diagnosis-related group (DRG).

Methods: Prospective study of patients coded by DRG within a network of providers accredited to a Brazilian healthcare provider. All patients coded with metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) between 01/2019 and 06/2023 and undergoing gastrectomy procedure were included for analysis. The cost base used was derived from administrative payment information of the healthcare provider. Analyses were presented as mean, median, and standard deviation. Levene, Student's t-test, Kendall's tau, and Pearson's chi-square tests were used.

Results: The study included a total of 1408 patients who underwent MBS in four prominent hospitals in the area during the specified period. Among these patients, an average of 74.8% were female, with a mean age of 37.31 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 40.3 kg/m2. Furthermore, 88.9% of the patients underwent gastric bypass. Although there were few acquired complications during hospital admission there were vascular complications following infusion, transfusion, and therapeutic injection, 22.45% (n = 11), hemorrhage and hematoma complicating procedure not classified elsewhere, 8.16% (n = 4), leakage, 8.16% (n = 4), and one death during this study. There were 67 readmissions within 30 days (4,75%). The total costs incurred throughout the patient's journey, covering hospitalization and one-year post-procedure, exhibited a median value of $4,078.53. Additionally, a notable positive association was observed between post-discharge expenses and age, indicating a tendency for costs to rise as patients grow older.

Conclusion: The identified results highlight the complexity and challenges associated with bariatric surgery, including patient management and substantial costs involved. Therefore, a more comprehensive and personalized approach in postoperative management and resource allocation may be necessary to optimize clinical and economic outcomes.

Keywords: BMI; Bariatric surgery; Diagnosis related groups; Obesity; Real World data; Supplementary health; Value-based healthcare.

Fig. 1

Evolution of the median cost during the hospitalization period from 2019 to July 2023, in the various healthcare providers coded by the health insurance company

Fig. 2

Evolution of the median cost of patients within one year after discharge from the hospital from 2019 to July 2023, in the different providers coded by the health operator

Fig. 3

Evolution of the median total cost throughout the beneficiary’s post-procedure journ in the study period (2019 to 07/2023), in the different providers coded by the health operator