1. Cardiac rehabilitation availability and characteristics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Global Comparison.
- Author
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Chacin-Suarez A, Grace SL, Anchique-Santos C, Supervia M, Turk-Adawi K, Britto RR, Scantlebury DC, Araya-Ramirez F, Gonzalez G, Benaim B, Fernandez R, Hol J, Burdiat G, Salmon R, Lomeli H, Mamataz T, Medina-Inojosa JR, and Lopez-Jimenez F
- Subjects
- Cardiac Rehabilitation economics, Caribbean Region epidemiology, Cost of Illness, Cross-Sectional Studies, Health Expenditures, Humans, Incidence, Insurance Coverage, Latin America epidemiology, Myocardial Ischemia economics, Myocardial Ischemia epidemiology, Patient Care Team, Cardiac Rehabilitation statistics & numerical data, Health Services Accessibility statistics & numerical data, Myocardial Ischemia rehabilitation
- Abstract
Background: This study aimed to establish availability and characteristics of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), where cardiovascular disease is highly prevalent., Methods: In this cross-sectional sub-analysis focusing on the 35 LAC countries, local cardiovascular societies identified CR programs globally. An online survey was administered to identified programs, assessing capacity and characteristics. CR need was computed relative to ischemic heart disease (IHD) incidence from the Global Burden of Disease study., Results: ≥1 CR program was identified in 24 LAC countries (68.5% availability; median = 3 programs/country). Data were collected in 20/24 countries (83.3%); 139/255 programs responded (54.5%), and compared to responses from 1082 programs in 111 countries. LAC density was 1 CR spot per 24 IHD patients/year (vs 18 globally). Greatest need was observed in Brazil, Dominican Republic and Mexico (all with >150,000 spots needed/year). In 62.8% (vs 37.2% globally P < .001) of CR programs, patients pay out-of-pocket for some or all of CR. CR teams were comprised of a mean of 5.0 ± 2.3 staff (vs 6.0 ± 2.8 globally; P < .001); Social workers, dietitians, kinesiologists, and nurses were significantly less common on CR teams than globally. Median number of core components offered was 8 (vs 9 globally; P < .001). Median dose of CR was 36 sessions (vs 24 globally; P < .001). Only 27 (20.9%) programs offered alternative CR models (vs 31.1% globally; P < .01)., Conclusion: In LAC countries, there is very limited CR capacity in relation to need. CR dose is high, but comprehensiveness low, which could be rectified with a more multidisciplinary team., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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