Abstract

Objectives

Patients receiving enoxaparin are at risk of bleeding. The study of the economic impact of enoxaparin-associated bleeding in Asian population, however, is limited. This study aimed to estimate the attributable costs and length of stay (LOS) of patients experiencing enoxaparin-associated bleeding compared with nonbleeding patients in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome who received enoxaparin in a large university-affiliated hospital. Cost and LOS were compared among three groups of patients according to the status of bleeding event. The attributable cost and LOS were estimated by using multiple linear regressions with log-transformed model and adjusted by confounders. The adjusted means of cost and LOS estimates were retransformed to their natural values by using Duan's smearing estimator. The differences of costs and LOS were presented as mean with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Out of 346 patients, 134 experienced enoxaparin-associated bleeding (28 and 106 patients experienced major and minor bleeding, respectively). The average age and gender in both groups were similar. Compared to the nonbleeding group, the attributable cost and LOS were 108,226 Thai baht (95% CI: 87,068–129,386) and 8 days (95% CI: 7.1–9.0) for major bleeding and 72,997 Thai baht (95% CI: 57,822–88,172) and 3.1 days (95% CI: 2.5–3.7) for minor bleeding, respectively.

Conclusions

Bleeding is significantly associated with increased cost and LOS among enoxaparin users. These findings suggest that strategies aiming to reduce bleeding events may potentially help reduce the cost of care among patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving enoxaparin therapy.