• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.27-38
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• 2018

Background: Related to escalating health care costs and the questionable effectiveness of multiple interventions including lumbar facet joint interventions, cost effectiveness or cost utility analysis has become the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine influencing coverage decisions. Methods: Cost utility of therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in managing chronic low back pain was performed utilizing data from a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with a 2-year follow-up, with direct payment data from 2016. Based on the data from surgical interventions, utilizing the lowest proportion of direct procedural costs of 60%, total cost utility per quality adjusted life year (QALY) was determined by multiplying the derived direct cost at 1.67. Results: Patients in this trial on average received $5.6{\pm}2.6$ procedures over a period of 2 years, with average relief over a period of 2 years of $82.8{\pm}29.6$ weeks with $19{\pm}18.77$ weeks of improvement per procedure. Procedural cost for one-year improvement in quality of life showed USD $2,654.08. Estimated total costs, including indirect costs and drugs with multiplication of direct costs at 1.67, showed a cost of USD $4,432 per QALY. Conclusions: The analysis of therapeutic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in the treatment of chronic low back pain shows clinical effectiveness and cost utility at USD $2,654.08 for the direct costs of the procedures, and USD $4,432 for the estimated overall cost per one year of QALY, in chronic persistent low back pain non-responsive to conservative management.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.397-403
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• 2006

Objectives: We estimated the asthma-related health care utilization and costs in Korea from the insurer's and societal perspective. Methods: We extracted the insurance claims records from the Korea National Health Insurance claims database for determining the health care services provided to patients with asthma in 2003. Patients were defined as having asthma if they had ${\geq}$2 medical claims with diagnosis of asthma and they had been prescribed anti-asthma medicines, Annual claims records were aggeregated for each patient to produce patient-specific information on the total utilization and costs. The total asthma-related cost was the sum of the direct healthcare costs, the transportation costs for visits to health care providers and the patient's or caregivers' costs for the time spent on hospital or outpatient visits. Results: A total of 699,603people were identified as asthma patients, yielding an asthma prevalence of 1.47%. Each asthma patient had 7.56 outpatient visits, 0.01 ED visits and 0.02 admissions per year to treat asthma. The per-capita insurance-covered costs increased with age, from 128,276 Won for children aged 1 to 14 years to 270,729 Won for those aged 75 or older. The total cost in the nation varied from 121,865 million to 174,949 million Won depending on the perspectives. From a societal perspective, direct health care costs accounted for 84.9%, transportation costs for 15.1 % and time costs for 9.2% of the total costs. Conclusions: Hospitalizations and ED visits represented only a small portion of the asthma-related costs. Most of the societal burden was attributed to direct medical expenditures, with outpatient visits and medications emerging as the single largest cost components.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3159-3163
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• 2012

Background: For cervical cancer the epidemiological profile is poorly known in Morocco and no data is available concerning the direct medical costs. The purpose of this work is to estimate the direct cost of medical management of invasive cervical cancer during the first year after diagnosis in Morocco. Methods: The estimation of direct costs of medical management of invasive cervical cancer during the first year after diagnosis in Morocco is based on the estimation of individual cost in each stage which covers diagnosis, treatment and follow-up during first year. The cost was estimated per patient and whole cycle-set using the costs for each drug and procedure as indicated by the Moroccan National Agency for Health Insurance. Extrapolation of the results to the whole country was used to calculate the total annual cost of cervical cancer treatments in Morocco. Results: Overall approximately 1,978 new cases of cervical cancer occur each year in Morocco. The majority (82.96%) of these cases were diagnosed at a late stage (stageII or more). The cost of one case of cervical cancer depends on stage of diagnosis, the lowest cost is $382 for stageCis followed by the cost of stageIA1 for young women (< 40 years) which is $2,952. The highest cost is for stageIV, which is $7,827. The total cost of cervical cancer care for one year after diagnosis is estimated at $13,589,360. The share allocated to treatment is the most important part of the global care budget with an annual sum of $13,027,609 whereas other cost components are represented as follows: $435,694 for annual follow-up activity and $126,057 for diagnosis and preclinical staging. Conclusion: This study provides health decision-makers with a first estimate of costs and the opportunity to achieve the optimal use of available data to estimate the needs of health facilities in Morocco.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2017

This study investigated the total annual direct cost of cerebrovascular disease patients. For this study, 265 respondents who answered that they used more than one emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services for cerebrovascular disease during the year of 2012 among Korean medical panel investigators in 2012 were included. In general, patients with cerebrovascular disease responded to cerebrovascular disease among Korean medical panel respondents in 2012. Percentage of respondents using inpatient and outpatient services. Total direct cost was calculated. According to the results of the study, the per capita annual medical expenditure per person is about 561,934 won, 669,557 won for men and 448,696 won for women. In the case of health insurance subscribers, the per capita self burden due to cerebrovascular disease averaged 634,459 won and the medical benefit recipients 160,236 won. The average total direct cost of 265 people with cerebrovascular disease is about 162,165,690, 193,223,955 won for men and 129,486,685 for women. The total direct cost per person due to cerebrovascular disease was 183,095,125 won and the medical benefit recipient was 46,241,705 won. According to household income, the highest rate of 672,268 won in the third income group of the household income, and 108,970,650 won in the fifth income group, the lowest total direct cost of the patients with cerebrovascular disease.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.407-415
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• 1998

The objectives of this study were to analyze the factors that affect the productivity for university food services. In a survey involving four-year university dining centers throughout the country, and correlations among thriteen different variables that affect productivity were determined. Productivity index (PI) was determined by meals per hour, the average score for 38 institutions was found to be 14.2 meals/hour. For serving methods, the fixed ration had a higher PI than the self-serving. When two types of serving trays were considered, the PI of the compartmantalized trays was higher than that of the tray accompanying saparate small dishes. When single (S)-or. multiple(M)-menu was compared with the cafeteria style, a higher PI was obtained by the S-or M-menu. Among the three operation systems, the PI was found to be the highest by direct operation (17.6 meals/hour), followed by contract operation (11.1 meals/hour) and rent operation (7.9 meals/hour). For the factors that affect the productivity of the university food services, the total number sewed (r=0.54, p＜0.001) and the use of convenient food items (r=0.28, P＜0.05) exhibited positive correlations, while food costs and labor costs showed negative correlations. This suggests that the productivity of university food service increases as the total number served and the use of convenient food item increased, but decreases as the food costs and labor costs per meal increased. A regression analysis showed that three variables - total number sewed, labor cost per meal, number of employees-influenced about 73% components of food service showed a negative correlation with PI and a positive correlation with the labor cost per meal.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.293-309
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• 1998

This study is aimed at identifying the decision making criteria as B/C ratio, IRR and NPV based on the expected benefits and costs of the land utilization and promotion projects which have implemented to improve agricultural structure under WTO system. To carry out the objectives of the study, Sinseok project area located at Dangjin district, Chungnam province was selected. Sinseok project area has 306.2 ha of paddy area with 172 farm households. The project area will be operated by the 33 specialized farm households after completion of the project which will have 20 years of economic life. After completion of the project, farm size will be increased from 1.8ha to 9.3ha. Land intensity of the project area will be increased by 10%. Increase of land productivity and cost saving due to the labor saving technology as farm mechanization will be expected. According to the survey results, the annual amount of production cost savings per farm was estimated 3.884million won and increased total farm income was expected about 43.8million won per year. The total expexted project benefits was expected 174million won per year. The project costs to promote land utilization and structural change consisted of handling charges, and direct payment for land movility. The decision making criteria representing economic feasibility of the project such as B/C ratio, NPV and IRR were estimated 2.49, 483million won and 30% respectively when the cut-off rate was taken into account 10%. In conclusion, the land utilization and promotion project proppeled by the Korean Government under the agricultural land law is considered economically feasible from the view points of expected project benefits and costs. Accordingly the project have to be implemented more strongly under the G't financial support considering WTO and UR negociation which were aimed at achieving the free trade and improvement of international competitiveness of farm products.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2018

Background: The cultivation of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) in greenhouses could reduce the use of pesticides and result in higher yield; however, construction costs are problematic. The adaptation of direct-sowing culture in greenhouses could reduce the cost of ginseng production. Methods and Results: To improve seedling establishment in direct-sowing culture, effects of sowing density (SD), number of seeds sown per hole (SN), and thinning (TH) treatment on the root yield were investigated after 3 years of seeding. The emergence rate was significantly influenced by SD, but not by SN or TH. Damping-off and rusty roots increased with an increase in SN with diminishing effects of SN on seedling establishment. Root weight and diameter were affected by SD, SN, and TH, however, there were no statistical significances. The total number of roots harvested per unit area increased with increasing SD and SN, and the weight of roots was affected by SD, but not by SN or TH. Conclusions: Multi-seed sowing per hole and/or thinning might not be an efficient method for the direct-sowing culture of ginseng. The SD for direct seeding culture in greenhouses should be approximately $33-42seeds/m^2$ for an optimum yield of 3-year-old ginseng.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.9
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• pp.977-986
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to estimate the financial cost of rotavirus infection in Korea in the year of 2005. Methods : The incidence rates used were from the epidemiological profile at Jeoungeub District (5.8 cases/1,000 children <5 years old for inpatients, and 22.65 cases/1,000 children <5 years old for outpatients, per year). The health care cost per capita of rotavirus infection (ICD code: A08.0) was extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database in Korea. The patient survey was conducted to capture information about non-medical costs and associated productivity loss incurred by adult caregivers. Results : The number of annual national cases among children <5 years old with rotavirus infection was estimated to be 69,122 (i.e., 55,030 outpatients and 14,092 inpatients). The total cost of rotavirus infection was estimated at 13.3 billion Korean won, comprising 11 billion Korean won (82.7%) of direct medical costs, 1.6 billion Korean won (12.0%) of direct non-medical costs (e.g., transportation and supplies), and 0.68 billion Korean won (5.1%) of productivity lost by adult caregivers. Conclusion : Rotavirus infection carries not only medical costs but also non-medical and indirect costs; together, these costs incur a significant burden on South Korean society. The impact of rotavirus on quality of life and health among patient caregivers was not considered in this study, but it does merit further research.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.87-101
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• 2015

This study was aimed to make data how much spent money of medical utilization and direct medical cost. In order to research we were using Korea Health panel 2012 Statistics which data contained Diabetes mellitus client 812 people in age 19. The method of this study was emergency cost, admission medical cost, out patient department cost(client own due, National Health insurance service due, not insurance fee). The result of this study, Diabete Mellitus client were using 198 times during 1 year per 100, total medical direct cost were 859,942 won, 447,359 won, 363,255,508. And admission times were 5.6 times per year, total direct cost was 772,240 won, 4,061,982 won, and 3,298,329,384 won, and out patient clinic using number was 10 times, medical cost total direct cost containing total direct cost was 11,978 won, 26,020 won, and 21,129,240 won. From this research we conclusion that the occurrence of diabetes mellitus can be increased medical cost and direct medical cost and it can be huge burden to client including their family and quality of life in the future. We suggest that in order to prevention and management of diabetes mellitus healthy diet, activity, blood sugar, and blood management should be encouragement.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7701-7706
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• 2013

Background: In a prospective cohort study of antiemetic therapy conducted in Malaysia, a total of 94 patients received low emetogenic chemotherapy (LEC) with or without granisetron injections as the primary prophylaxis for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This study is a retrospective cost analysis of two antiemetic regimens from the payer perspective. Materials and Methods: This cost evaluation refers to 2011, the year in which the observation was conducted. Direct costs incurred by hospitals including the drug acquisition, materials and time spent for clinical activities from prescribing to dispensing of home medications were evaluated (MYR 1=$0.32 USD). As reported to be significantly different between two regimens (96.1% vs 81.0%; p=0.017), the complete response rate of acute emesis which was defined as a patient successfully treated without any emesis episode within 24 hours after LEC was used as the main indicator for effectiveness. Results: Antiemetic drug acquisition cost per patient was 40.7 times higher for the granisetron-based regimen than for the standard regimen (MYR 64.3 vs 1.58). When both the costs for materials and clinical activities were included, the total cost per patient was 8.68 times higher for the granisetron-based regimen (MYR 73.5 vs 8.47). Considering the complete response rates, the mean cost per successfully treated patient in granisetron group was 7.31 times higher (MYR 76.5 vs 10.5). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) with granisetron-based regimen, relative to the standard regimen, was MYR 430.7. It was found to be most sensitive to the change of antiemetic effects of granisetron-based regimen. Conclusions: While providing a better efficacy in acute emesis control, the low incidence of acute emesis and high ICER makes use of granisetron as primary prophylaxis in LEC controversial.