Direct medical costs for drug-resistant tuberculosis inpatients at the national lung hospital, Vietnam: A one-year study.

ABSTRACT: Drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a major global public health challenge due to its complex treatment regimens and prolonged treatment duration. Drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment requires more expensive second-line medications, intensive monitoring, and longer hospitalization, resulting in substantially higher healthcare costs. Vietnam is one of 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate direct medical costs and associated factors of the costs in drug-resistant tuberculosis inpatients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the National Lung Hospital. Medical and financial data of 629 inpatients with drug-resistant tuberculosis inpatients who discharged from the hospital from January 1st to December 31st, 2024, were collected. RESULTS: The median of total inpatient treatment cost for a hospital stay was $707.2, and costs of drugs and intravenous fluids accounted for the highest proportion (38%) of total costs. Length of stays, number of comorbidities, and age were independent predictors of increased the direct medical costs of drug-resistant tuberculosis inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment costs for DR-TB in Vietnam remain high, highlighting the need for targeted financial support for vulnerable patients.