Managing severe gestational hypertension in Italy: a cost description.

Abstract

Background: Gestational hypertension (GH) is a common complication that affects approximately 5% of pregnancies worldwide.

Research design and methods: Presenting a model-based cost description of managing severe GH in inward setting following the Italian National Health Service (INHS) perspective. Epidemiological data on pregnancies and severe GH were obtained from Lombardy region and extrapolated to national level for 2024 (last available year). Health care resources for managing severe GH patients aged 20-49 years, identified and quantified according to literature and expert' opinion, were valued through INHS tariffs (2025 values). One-way and scenario sensitivity analyses tested the robustness of the baseline findings.

Results: 375,553 pregnancies and 1928 episodes of severe GH needing hospitalization (0.51% of all pregnancies) were estimated for Italy in 2024. The overall average cost of managing a severe GH episode reaches €752.64. Inward hospitalization (€454.23) is the main cost-driver (60.04% of the total), as confirmed by one-way and scenario sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion: As reported in research conducted in other countries, inward hospitalization is both essential and the main cost-driver for the optimal management of severe GH. Outpatient programmes aimed at identifying and following-up GH patients before the disease requires hospitalization should be considered by INHS policymakers.