Introduction:

Few data are available in Cuba about the loss of health-related quality of life and the economic burden caused by dengue fever to patients and their families.

Objective:

Describe the loss of health-related quality of life and the economic burden caused by dengue fever to patients and their families in Santiago de Cuba.

Method:

A questionnaire was applied to 92 adult patients with confirmed dengue fever admitted to Ambrosio Grillo Clinical Surgical University Hospital in Santiago de Cuba from January to October 2015. The questionnaire was also applied to their relatives. An analog scale (0-100) was used to estimate average loss of quality of life as well as indirect and direct non-medical costs expenses incurred by patients.

Results:

Global loss of quality of life was 67.9 % at the worst stage of the condition. Average self-perceived days until recovery were 13.1. Average visits to outpatient services per patient before hospitalization were 1.3. The polyclinic was the most commonly used service. Average hospital stay was 3.96 nights. No patient had severe dengue fever. Direct non-medical expenses incurred by patients and their families were USD 7.95 (CUC), 44.7 % of which were spent on transportation and 32.0 % on food. These were mainly covered by personal savings and donations from relatives and friends. Average indirect expenses were USD 4.10 (CUC).

Conclusion:

There was considerable loss of quality of life during the disease. Patients and their families incurred low non-medical direct and indirect expenses. The economic burden undertaken by the government is 12 times as high.

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