Analysis of direct medical costs for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease in inpatients at a military hospital: a retrospective study in Vietnam

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) imposes a substantial economic burden due to prolonged hospitalization and severe complications. This study evaluated the direct medical costs of inpatient PUD treatment from the healthcare provider perspective in Vietnam. A retrospective study was conducted using the electronic medical records of 1,985 inpatients diagnosed with PUD at a military hospital between 2017 and 2022. Direct medical costs during hospitalization were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and SPSS version 26.0. The total inpatient treatment cost for PUD during the study period was USD 4,142,121, with a mean cost of USD 2,086.7 per patient. Medication costs amounted to USD 88,640, of which proton pump inhibitors represented the largest proportion (USD 80,350). Medical supplies and prolonged hospitalization were the major contributors to overall expenditures. PUD creates a considerable financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system in Vietnam. Strategies aimed at reducing hospitalization duration and optimizing resource utilization may help decrease treatment costs and improve healthcare efficiency.