Minimización de costos: inmunoglobulina IV vs. plasmaféresis en síndrome de Guillain Barré

Guillain Barre Syndrome is considered one of the most important causes of acute neuromuscular paralysis. Currently there are two clinically effective therapies for the treatment of disease: IVIG and plasmapheresis. Objective: To estimate which therapy is less expensive for the in-hospital care of patients diagnosed with moderate to severe Guillain Barre in the Fundacion Cardioinfantil of Bogota, Colombia. Materials and Methods: All patients that were discharged between January and December 2014 with GuillainBarre syndrome diagnosis were included. The cost information for each patient was provided by department of medical bills and the total cost of care was established from admission to patient discharge. The comparison of the total costs of care of patients treated with IVIG vs. patients treated with plasmapheresis was performed by means of the Mann-Whitney analysis. Results: The cost of care of patients with intravenous immunoglobulin was 9,976 USD while the total cost of patients with plasmapheresis was 23,354 USD. The higher cost of care in this last group of patients was driven by the increased number of complications arising from the same treatment. Conclusion:Between the two treatments considered in the advanced states of Guillain Barre Syndrome, IVIG offers an adequate strategy to minimize the cost of hospital patient care in patients with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the Fundacion Cardioinfantil of Bogota.