This study aimed to estimate cost of in-patient medical care due to stroke in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. A
retrospective analysis of stroke patients admitted to
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC)
between January 2005 and December 2008 were conducted.
Cost evaluation was undertaken from the health provider’s
perspective using a top-down costing approach. Mean
length of stay (LOS) was 6.4 ± 3.1 days and mean cost of
care per patient per admission was MYR 3,696.40 ± 1,842.17
or 16% of per capita GDP of the country. Human resources
made up the highest cost component (MYR 1,343.90, SD:
669.8 or 36% of the total cost), followed by medications
(MYR 867.30, SD:432.40) and laboratory services (MYR
337.90, SD:168.40). LOS and cost of care varied across
different stroke severity levels (p<0.01). A regression
analysis shown significant influence of stroke severity on
cost of care, with the most severe stroke consumed MYR
1,598.10 higher cost than the mild stroke (p<0.001). Cost of medical care during hospital admission due to stroke is
substantial. Health promotion and primary prevention
activities need to take priority to minimise stroke admission in future.