Cost-effectiveness of an exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation program in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in Brazil: An analysis from the PEACH study

Objectives The present study aimed to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of an exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) program in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). Methods Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a randomised clinical trial evaluating the effects of a 6-month exercise-based CR program. The intervention group underwent 3 weekly exercise sessions. The variation of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was used as a measurement of clinical outcome. Cost information from all healthcare expenses (examinations, healthcare visits, medication and hospitalisation) were obtained from the medical records in Brazilian reais (R$) and transformed into dollars using the purchasing power parity ($PPP). The longitudinal costs variation was evaluated through linear mixed models, represented by beta coefficient, adjusted for the baseline values of the dependent variable. The cost-effectiveness evaluation was determined through an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio using the HEABS package (Stata 15.0). Results The intervention group presented higher costs with healthcare visits (beta = +3317.3; p < 0.001), hospitalisation (beta = +2810.4; p = 0.02) and total cost (beta = +6407.9; p < 0.001) after 3 months of follow-up. Costs related to healthcare visits (beta = +2455.8; p < 0.001) and total cost (beta = +4711.4; p < 0.001) remained higher in the intervention group after 6 months. The CR program showed an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $PPP 1874.3 for each increase of 1.0 ml kg(-1) min(-1) of VO2peak. Conclusions The CR program can be considered a cost-effective alternative and should be included as an intervention strategy in the care of patients with CCC.