Average Indirect Costs Research Articles

Economic and Humanistic Burden of Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Large Sample Studies.

Osteoarthritis (OA) consumes a significant amount of healthcare resources, and impairs the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. Previous reviews have consistently found substantial variations in the costs of OA across studies and countries. The comparability between studies was poor and limited the detection of the true differences between these studies. To review large sample studies on measuring the economic and/or humanistic burden of OA published since May 2006. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using comprehensive search strategies to identify studies reporting economic burden and HRQoL of OA. We included large sample studies if they had a sample size ≥1000 and measured the cost and/or HRQoL of OA. Reviewers worked independently and in duplicate, performing a cross-check between groups to verify agreement. Within- and between-group consolidation was performed to resolve discrepancies, with outstanding discrepancies being resolved by an arbitrator. The Kappa statistic was reported to assess the agreement between the reviewers. All costs were adjusted in their original currency to year 2015 using published inflation rates for the country where the study was conducted, and then converted to 2015 US dollars. A total of 651 articles were screened by title and abstract, 94 were reviewed in full text, and 28 were included in the final review. The Kappa value was 0.794. Twenty studies reported direct costs and nine reported indirect costs. The total annual average direct costs varied from US$1442 to US$21,335, both in USA. The annual average indirect costs ranged from US$238 to US$29,935. Twelve studies measured HRQoL using various instruments. The Short Form 12 version 2 scores ranged from 35.0 to 51.3 for the physical component, and from 43.5 to 55.0 for the mental component. Health utilities varied from 0.30 for severe OA to 0.77 for mild OA. Per-patient OA costs are considerable and a patient's quality of life remains poor. Variations in costing methods are a barrier to understanding the true differences in the costs of OA between studies. Standardizing healthcare resource items, the definition of OA-relevant costs, and productivity loss measures would facilitate the comparison.

Disease activity, quality of life and indirect costs of reduced productivity at work, generated by Polish patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the association between activity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and decrease in quality of life as well as productivity loss of affected patients in a specified group of patients in the Polish setting.Material and methodsAn questionnaire survey was conducted using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) to assess disease activity, as well as the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaires to assess productivity loss; quality of life was presented as utility calculated using the EuroQol 5 questionnaire and also measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Indirect costs were assessed with the human capital approach implying gross domestic product per capita or gross value added per worker in Poland in 2014 and were expressed in Polish zlotys (PLN) as well as in euros. Correlation was presented using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.ResultsWe performed our analysis based on 78 full questionnaires collected. A mean BASDAI score of 5.91 in the analysed group of patients was detected and mean utility of 0.5135 was observed. Average quality of life measured on the visual analogue scale was 46.55. Mean number of days off work was 45.26 days per year and mean on-the-job productivity loss was 49.29%. Average annual indirect costs per patient were €4241 (17 686 PLN) calculated using gross domestic product and €10 172 (42 417 PLN) estimated using gross value added. Total productivity loss was significantly correlated with disease activity (strong correlation of 0.6005) and utility (moderate correlation of –0.3698).ConclusionsAnkylosing spondylitis causes a great decrease in quality of life as well as patients’ productivity loss associated with both absenteeism and presenteeism. The greater the disease activity is, the lower is the utility, the lower is the quality of life measured on the VAS, and the greater are the total annual indirect costs. Total indirect costs were negatively correlated with utility; although the association was moderate, it was significant.

Economic burden of diabetes in urban indians.

Purpose : To find out the average economic burden of medical care on a patient with diabetes in Pune, IndiaMethods : A semi-open ended questionnaire followed by interview was conducted with patients attending diabetes and ophthalmic out-patient departments. They were asked regarding the duration of diabetes, methods undertaken for blood sugar control and the amount they spend on consultations, laboratory tests, medicines and procedures if any within past year. Expenditure was classified as direct cost (cost of medicines, doctor’s fees, investigations, lasers and surgery) and indirect cost (travel, diet control, health classes and loss of wages). Data was collected regarding the socioeconomic status according to Kuppaswamy classification.Results : 219 patients participated of whom 129 were males (58.9%). Average annual direct cost of diabetes treatment was Rs 8,822 of which 52.1% was spend on medicines, 3.2% was spend on lasers, 12.6% was spend on surgical procedures, 11.6% spent on investigations and 10.4% was spend on clinician fees. Average annual indirect cost was Rs. 3949 of which 3.4% was spend on travelling purpose, 0.4% was spent on health classes, 4.9% was spent on diet control and 91.3% was loss of wages. Average expenditure done by lower middle class was 23.7% of their income. Average percentage of income for direct and indirect cost was 3.6% and 1.4% respectively. The cost of the treatment formed1.3% of the annual income for those in Socio-economic class I, 1.7% in class II, 3.7% in class III and 23.7% in class IV.Conclusion : The cost of managing diabetes was a significant proportion of the patients’ income, especially for those on lower socio-economic scale (class IV).

Lifestyle factors, direct and indirect costs for a Brazilian airline company.

OBJECTIVETo analyze lifestyle risk factors related to direct healthcare costs and the indirect costs due to sick leave among workers of an airline company in Brazil.METHODSIn this longitudinal 12-month study of 2,201 employees of a Brazilian airline company, the costs of sick leave and healthcare were the primary outcomes of interest. Information on the independent variables, such as gender, age, educational level, type of work, stress, and lifestyle-related factors (body mass index, physical activity, and smoking), was collected using a questionnaire on enrolment in the study. Data on sick leave days were available from the company register, and data on healthcare costs were obtained from insurance records. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to investigate the association between direct and indirect healthcare costs with sociodemographic, work, and lifestyle-related factors.RESULTSOver the 12-month study period, the average direct healthcare expenditure per worker was US$505.00 and the average indirect cost because of sick leave was US$249.00 per worker. Direct costs were more than twice the indirect costs and both were higher in women. Body mass index was a determinant of direct costs and smoking was a determinant of indirect costs.CONCLUSIONSObesity and smoking among workers in a Brazilian airline company were associated with increased health costs. Therefore, promoting a healthy diet, physical activity, and anti-tobacco campaigns are important targets for health promotion in this study population.

Economic Burden of Head Injury Patients Attending a Tertiary Level Hospital in a Developing Country Like Bangladesh

Objective: Objective of the study was to estimate the economic burden of head injury (HI) patients attending a tertiary level hospital. This study also tried to determine the socio-demographic characteristics, to estimate direct and indirect cost incurred by the head injury patients and to assess economic burden by different types of accidents causing head injury.
 Methods:The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out to estimate the economic burden of head injury patients attending a tertiary level hospital during the period from January to June 2010, conducted at the neurosurgery department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). All the conscious head injury patients of both sexes, treated in Neurosurgery department of DMCH, willing to participate in the study were included in the study. Convenience type of non-probability sampling technique was followed and sample size of this study was 110. Face to face interview was conducted with the patient and / or attendant for data collection and specific pre-designed semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used for the interview session. After Categorizing, coding, cleaning and summarizing, all data were analyzed by the software SPSS windows program version 12.0.
 Result: More than half (53.6%) of the patients of this study, were in younger age group (21 to 30 years) with mean (±SD) age of 29.1(±8.36) years. Majority of the patients (69.0%) were males, Average monthly family income of the patients was Tk.14,509.09 (±5762.49). Majority (36.4%) of the patients had primary level education while 20.9% were housewives. Major incidences of different types of accidents included road traffic accident (63.6%), assault (20.0%), industrial accident (8.0%) and fall from height (8.0%). Average length of the stay of the patients in the hospital was 7.43 (±3.64) days. In respect of direct cost, average travel cost incurred by the patients was Tk.3,628.18 (±2055.56), average drug cost was Tk.1,618 (±801.51), average laboratory investigation cost was Tk.2390 (±626.47) and average cost of food was Tk.2235.45 (±1208.19). Average direct treatment cost incurred by the patients was Tk.9590.10 (±4041.13). The average duration of absent from work place was 7.07 (±3.316) days and most of the patients average daily income (self) was Tk.340.65 (±158.97). Average loss of income due to illness was Tk.2415.32(±1623.68) and average cost behind giving tips to hospital staff by the patients was Tk.221.50 (±78.34). The average indirect cost of these study patients was Tk.2001.72 (±1869.27). Overall, average treatment cost incurred by the patients was Tk.12,008.05 (±5051.95). Majority (38.0%) had a cost from Tk10001 to Tk.15000.
 Conclusion: The study finding can help policy makers, public health specialists, future researchers and enthusiastic individuals to formulate specific strategies for reduction of economic burden of head injury patients by providing cost-effective health care services throughout the country.
 Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2014; Vol. 30 (2): 104-111

Economic Burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among the Patients Attending Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major concern for the developed as well as developing countries. It poses with enormous disabilities and economic burden to the victims. The treatment cost of diabetes is increasing day by day. Aim: To ascertain how type 2 diabetes mellitus is incurring economic burden to the patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted during the period from January to June 2010 on 110 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka. The patients were selected conveniently and data were collected by face to face interview with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. For estimation of economic burden, both direct and indirect treatment costs were calculated. Results: The study revealed that majority (36.4%) of the patients were in the age group of 46-55 years with the mean age of 53.65 (+10.44) years. Majority (60.0%) of them had lower monthly family income (Tk.5, 000-Tk.10, 000) and 36.4% of them lived in urban area. Most of the patients (90.9%) were under treatment with drug, diet control and physical exercise. Regarding sources of fund for treatment, 31.8% patients used their savings while 27.3% took loan, 20% got help from relatives and the remaining 20.9% got donation and sold wealth. Average treatment cost incurred by the patients was estimated to Tk. 5543.35 (+1273.29). Average direct treatment cost was estimated to Tk.2656.88 (+1367.23) of which average drug cost was Tk.653.36 (+476.36), investigation cost was Tk.596.73 (+375.56), travel cost Tk.530.31 (+795.46), attendant cost Tk.865.87 (+734.22) and consultation fee was Tk.244.48 (+167.22). Average indirect cost was calculated to Tk.3081.27 (+1275.91) which was only due to loss of income due to illness. Conclusion: The study findings will enable the health policy makers and health care providers at different levels to provide need based cost-effective health care services to reduce the economic burden of diabetes mellitus patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v9i1.18718 Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.9(1) 2013: 8-13

The economic burden of meningitis to households in Kassena-Nankana district of Northern Ghana.

ObjectiveTo estimate the direct and indirect costs of meningitis to households in the Kassena-Nankana District of Ghana.MethodsA Cost of illness (COI) survey was conducted between 2010 and 2011. The COI was computed from a retrospective review of 80 meningitis cases answers to questions about direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs incurred and productivity losses due to recent meningitis incident.ResultsThe average direct and indirect costs of treating meningitis in the district was GH¢152.55 (US$101.7) per household. This is equivalent to about two months minimum wage earned by Ghanaians in unskilled paid jobs in 2009. Households lost 29 days of work per meningitis case and thus those in minimum wage paid jobs lost a monthly minimum wage of GH¢76.85 (US$51.23) due to the illness. Patients who were insured spent an average of GH¢38.5 (US$25.67) in direct medical costs whiles the uninsured patients spent as much as GH¢177.9 (US$118.6) per case. Patients with sequelae incurred additional costs of GH¢22.63 (US$15.08) per case. The least poor were more exposed to meningitis than the poorest.ConclusionMeningitis is a debilitating but preventable disease that affects people living in the Sahel and in poorer conditions. The cost of meningitis treatment may further lead to impoverishment for these households. Widespread mass vaccination will save households' an equivalent of GH¢175.18 (US$117) and impairment due to meningitis.

Household costs of seeking outpatient care in Egyptian children with diarrhea: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionAddressing difficulties of seeking and getting health care would lower the burden of diarrhea among ill children from developing countries as Egypt. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the economic burden of diarrhea associated with outpatient visits of children in Egypt by identifying the different types of related costs.MethodsThis cross-sectional clinic-based survey was done by interviewing parents of 763 children presenting with diarrhea to the outpatient clinics of Pediatric Hospital of Cairo University. Estimated costs included tangible costs (direct, indirect) and intangible costs (forms of suffering). Insurance status of the children was also described. Descriptive statistics were presented in frequency tables, median, minimum, maximum, interquartile range, mean and standard deviation, whenever appropriate.ResultsIt was found that 90. 7% of the studied children were of low and middle socioeconomic standard with a median monthly family income of US$83 and a median monthly expenditure of LE US$79. The average direct and indirect costs of acute diarrhea per case were US$13.2±19.5 and US$11.3±93.1 respectively. The mean cost per diarrheal episode is US$24.5 which almost consumes 29.5% of the mean monthly income. About 61% of cases sought medical care before visiting our hospital, 43.6% of them visited more than one provider. Awareness about health insurance was found in 72.7% and coverage by a health insurance system in 33%. Of insured patients only 41.4% utilized the insurance services.ConclusionDiarrhea causes great socio-economic burden for families in Egypt, which could result in significant delay in seeking health care.

Health-care cost of diabetes in South India: A cost of illness study.

Objective:The objective of this study is to analyze the health-care cost by calculating the direct and indirect costs of diabetes with co-morbidities in south India.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted at Rohini super specialty hospital (India). Patient data as well as cost details were collected from the patients for a period of 6 months. The study was approved by the hospital committee prior to the study. The diabetic patients of age >18 years, either gender were included in the study. The collected data was analyzed for the average cost incurred in treating the diabetic patients and was calculated based on the total amount spent by the patients to that of total number of patients.Findings:A total of 150 patients were enrolled during the study period. The average costs per diabetic patient with and without co-morbidities were found to be United States dollar (USD) 314.15 and USD 29.91, respectively. The average cost for those with diabetic complications was USD 125.01 for macrovascular complications, USD 90.43 for microvascular complications and USD 142.01 for other infections. Out of USD 314.15, the average total direct medical cost was USD 290.04, the average direct non-medical cost was USD 3.75 and the average total indirect cost was USD 20.34.Conclusion:Our study results revealed that more economic burden was found in male patients (USD 332.06), age group of 51-60 years (USD 353.55) and the patients bearing macrovascular complications (USD 142.01). This information can be a model for future studies of economic evaluations and outcomes research.

Cost-effectiveness of a long-term Internet-delivered worksite health promotion programme on physical activity and nutrition: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a long-term workplace health promotion programme on physical activity (PA) and nutrition. In total, 924 participants enrolled in a 2-year cluster randomized controlled trial, with departments (n = 74) within companies (n = 6) as the unit of randomization. The intervention was compared with a standard programme consisting of a physical health check with face-to-face advice and personal feedback on a website. The intervention consisted of several additional website functionalities: action-oriented feedback, self-monitoring, possibility to ask questions and monthly e-mail messages. Primary outcomes were meeting the guidelines for PA and fruit and vegetable intake. Secondary outcomes were self-perceived health, obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol level and maximum oxygen uptake. Direct and indirect costs were calculated from a societal perspective, and a process evaluation was performed. Of the 924 participants, 72% participated in the first and 60% in the second follow-up. No statistically significant differences were found on primary and secondary outcomes, nor on costs. Average direct costs per participant over the 2-year period were €376, and average indirect costs were €9476. In conclusion, no additional benefits were found in effects or cost savings. Therefore, the programme in its current form cannot be recommended for implementation.

Estimating the costs of induced abortion in Uganda: A model-based analysis

BackgroundThe demand for induced abortions in Uganda is high despite legal and moral proscriptions. Abortion seekers usually go to illegal, hidden clinics where procedures are performed in unhygienic environments by under-trained practitioners. These abortions, which are usually unsafe, lead to a high rate of severe complications and use of substantial, scarce healthcare resources. This study was performed to estimate the costs associated with induced abortions in Uganda.MethodsA decision tree was developed to represent the consequences of induced abortion and estimate the costs of an average case. Data were obtained from a primary chart abstraction study, an on-going prospective study, and the published literature. Societal costs, direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, indirect (productivity) costs, costs to patients, and costs to the government were estimated. Monte Carlo simulation was used to account for uncertainty.ResultsThe average societal cost per induced abortion (95% credibility range) was $177 ($140-$223). This is equivalent to $64 million in annual national costs. Of this, the average direct medical cost was $65 ($49-86) and the average direct non-medical cost was $19 ($16-$23). The average indirect cost was $92 ($57-$139). Patients incurred $62 ($46-$83) on average while government incurred $14 ($10-$20) on average.ConclusionInduced abortions are associated with substantial costs in Uganda and patients incur the bulk of the healthcare costs. This reinforces the case made by other researchers--that efforts by the government to reduce unsafe abortions by increasing contraceptive coverage or providing safe, legal abortions are critical.

Cost-of-illness analysis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Iran.

IntroductionDiabetes is a worldwide high prevalence chronic progressive disease that poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed economic burden of diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications in Iran in 2009 year.MethodsThis is a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study focusing on quantifying direct health care costs by bottom-up approach. Data on inpatient hospital services, outpatient clinic visits, physician services, drugs, laboratory test, education and non-medical cost were collected from two national registries. The human capital approach was used to calculate indirect costs separately in male and female and also among different age groups.ResultsThe total national cost of diagnosed T2DM in 2009 is estimated at 3.78 billion USA dollars (USD) including 2.04±0.28 billion direct (medical and non-medical) costs and indirect costs of 1.73 million. Average direct and indirect cost per capita was 842.6±102 and 864.8 USD respectively. Complications (48.9%) and drugs (23.8%) were main components of direct cost. The largest components of medical expenditures attributed to diabetes's complications are cardiovascular disease (42.3% of total Complications cost), nephropathy (23%) and ophthalmic complications (14%). Indirect costs include temporarily disability (335.7 million), permanent disability (452.4 million) and reduced productivity due to premature mortality (950.3 million).ConclusionsT2DM is a costly disease in the Iran healthcare system and consume more than 8.69% of total health expenditure. In addition to these quantified costs, T2DM imposes high intangible costs on society in terms of reduced quality of life. Identification of effective new strategies for the control of diabetes and its complications is a public health priority.

What are the True Costs of Major Trauma?

This economic evaluation reports the results of a detailed study of the cost of major trauma treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH), Australia. A bottom-up approach was used to collect and aggregate the direct and indirect costs generated by a sample of 30 inpatients treated for major trauma at PAH in 2004. Major trauma was defined as an admission for Multiple Significant Trauma with an Injury Severity Score>15. Direct and indirect costs were amalgamated from three sources, (1) PAH inpatient costs, (2) Medicare Australia, and (3) a survey instrument. Inpatient costs included the initial episode of inpatient care including clinical and outpatient services and any subsequent representations for ongoing-related medical treatment. Medicare Australia provided an itemized list of pharmaceutical and ambulatory goods and services. The survey instrument collected out-of-pocket expenses and opportunity cost of employment forgone. Inpatient data obtained from a publically funded trauma registry were used to control for any potential bias in our sample. Costs are reported in Australian dollars for 2004 and 2008. The average direct and indirect costs of major trauma incurred up to 1-year postdischarge were estimated to be A$78,577 and A$24,273, respectively. The aggregate costs, for the State of Queensland, were estimated to range from A$86.1 million to $106.4 million in 2004 and from A$135 million to A$166.4 million in 2008. These results demonstrate that (1) the costs of major trauma are significantly higher than previously reported estimates and (2) the cost of readmissions increased inpatient costs by 38.1%.

Direct and indirect costs of employees with treatment-resistant and non-treatment-resistant major depressive disorder

Objective:Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) imposes substantial cost from the perspective of employers. The objective of this study was to assess direct healthcare costs and indirect (disability and medical-related absenteeism) costs associated with TRD compared with non-treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD).Methods:Employees with one or more inpatient, or two or more outpatient/other MDD diagnoses (ICD-9-CM: 296.2x, 296.3x) from 2004 through 2007, ages 18–63 years, were selected from a claims database. Employees who initiated a third antidepressant following two antidepressant treatments of adequate dose and duration or who met published TRD criteria were classified as TRD likely (N = 2312). The index date was the date of the first antidepressant, starting 1/1/2004. The control group was an age- and sex-matched cohort of employees with MDD but without TRD. All had continuous eligibility during the 6-month pre-index (baseline) and 24-month post-index (study) period. McNemar tests were used to compare baseline comorbidities. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare costs from employer perspective.Results:TRD-likely employees were on average 48 years old, and 64.8% were women. Compared with MDD controls, TRD-likely employees had significantly higher rates of mental-health disorders, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index. Average direct 2-year costs were significantly higher for TRD-likely employees ($22,784) compared with MDD controls ($11,733), p < 0.0001. Average indirect costs were also higher among TRD-likely employees ($12,765) compared with MDD controls ($6885), p < 0.0001.Limitations:Limitations of claims data related to accuracy of diagnosis coding and lack of clinical information apply to this study.Conclusions:Based on comorbidities and healthcare resources used, patients with TRD appeared to represent a clinically complex subgroup of individuals with MDD. TRD was associated with significant cost burden.

Health Economic Burden of Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome in a German Ambulatory Setting

The primary characteristics of restless legs syndrome (RLS), including severe sleep disorders, restlessness in the evening and discomfort while at rest, have substantial impact on normal daily activities. Because of the high prevalence of RLS in the general population, it is necessary to evaluate the economic impact of RLS. To determine the health economic burden of patients with RLS in Germany. A total of 519 RLS patients (mean age: 65.2 +/- 11.1 years) in different stages of disease were recruited in five health centres (university hospitals, district hospitals and office-based neurologists) by applying the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. A questionnaire was administered that assessed healthcare resource consumption as well as socioeconomic, demographic, clinical and health status. In addition, the International RLS severity scale (IRLS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), EQ-5D and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were addressed in the assessment. Direct and indirect costs (euro, year 2006 values) were derived from various German economic resources and calculated from the perspective of the healthcare and transfer payment providers. We calculated average total costs over the 3-month observation period. It was determined that average total costs were euro2090 for this period. The average direct medical and non-medical costs from the perspective of the health insurance provider were determined to be euro780, with euro300 attributed to drug costs and euro354 to hospitalization costs. Average total indirect costs amounted to euro1308 and were calculated based on productivity loss, using the human capital approach. As cost-driving factors we identified disease severity according to the IRLS (p < 0.01) and ESS (p < 0.04). Health-related quality of life was determined to be substantially affected by RLS; the mean EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) was 55.6, considerably lower than that of the age-matched general population. RLS places a notable financial burden on society as well as on patients and their families. More detailed studies are needed to evaluate the health economic impact of this disorder.

Socioeconomic Burden of Psoriatic Arthritis in Hong Kong: Direct and Indirect Costs and the Influence of Disease Pattern

To estimate the direct costs and indirect costs of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Hong Kong. A retrospective cost-of-illness study was performed on 125 patients with PsA. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, employment status, and out of pocket expenses. Health resources consumption was recorded by chart review and patient self-report questionnaire. Patients were grouped according to disease pattern, i.e., peripheral and axial disease. Multiple regression was used to determine the predictors of the costs. The average annual direct costs were $4,141 (2006 US dollars) per patient. Costs of inpatient care accounted for 27% of direct costs, followed by costs of visits to healthcare providers (25%). The estimated average indirect costs were $3,127 per patient-year. Forty-eight (42%) patients had no indirect costs. Sixty percent of patients with peripheral disease were still employed, compared to 39% of patients with axial disease. Patients with axial disease had almost twice the indirect costs compared to those with peripheral disease (p = 0.005). Increased pain and poor function were independently associated with increased direct costs. Worse physical health status, determined by indirect costs borne by the patient, and poor function and old age predicted high costs. PsA imposes substantial economic burden. Pain and function are significantly associated with costs. Improvements in treatments to reduce pain and restore function are likely to reduce the costs incurred by these patients.

The direct, indirect and intangible costs of visual impairment caused by neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) is a chronic, progressive disease of the central retina, and its prevalence is expected to rise with the ageing population. Using a bottom-up approach based on retrospective data, this cross-sectional study estimated average annual direct costs of nvAMD to be £4,047, and average annual indirect costs to be £449. An attempt to measure intangible costs through willingness-to-pay yielded a lower response rate and estimated intangible costs to be 11.5% of monthly income. Direct costs were significantly higher for male participants, for those who have mild or moderate visual impairment in both eyes, and for those who have been diagnosed for a shorter time. The findings of this study suggest that the availability of early diagnosis, effective treatment, support services, and sustained research into the management of nvAMD may reduce the burden of visual impairment caused by nvAMD to affected individuals and the state.

The Direct and Indirect Costs of Untreated Insomnia in Adults in the United States

To estimate the direct and indirect cost burden of untreated insomnia among younger adults (age 18–64), and to estimate the direct costs of untreated insomnia for elderly patients (age 65 and over). A retrospective, observational study comparing insomnia patients to matched samples without insomnia. Self-insured, employer sponsored health insurance plans in the U.S. 138,820 younger adults and 75,558 elderly patients with insomnia, plus equal-sized, matched comparison groups. NA. Direct costs included inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, and emergency room costs for all diseases, for six months before an index date. The index date for insomnia patients was the date of diagnosis with or the onset of prescription treatment for insomnia, some-time during July 1, 1999–June 30, 2003. Non-insomnia patients were assigned the same index dates as the insomnia patients to whom they were matched. Indirect costs included costs related to absenteeism from work and the use of short-term disability programs. Propensity score matching was used to find insomnia and non-insomnia patients who had similar demographics, location, health plan type, comorbidities, and drug use patterns. Regression analyses controlled for factors that were different even after matching was completed. We found that average direct and indirect costs for younger adults with insomnia were about $1,253 greater than for patients without insomnia. Among the elderly, direct costs were about $1,143 greater for insomnia patients. Insomnia is associated with a significant economic burden for younger and older patients.

Direct and Indirect Costs of Pain Therapy for Osteoarthritis in an Insured Population in the United States

To assess the health care utilization and cost of illness for osteoarthritis (OA) patients taking pain medications. Specifically, the goals were to estimate the direct health care and indirect costs of OA. A claims database of privately insured patients was used to identify OA patients. Prescription drug pain treatments included tramadol, cyclooxygenase-II inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Mean annual per patient costs were calculated from an employer's perspective. OA patients were prescribed multiple drugs simultaneously and/or sequentially to manage pain. OA patients had a number of prevalent comorbid conditions. Average annual direct medical, drug, and indirect work loss costs were $8601, $2941, and $4603, respectively. There was a substantial payer burden associated with OA resulting from the drug, medical, and disability costs and OA-related comorbidities and high concomitant medication utilization.

Economic cost of malaria on households during a transmission season in Khartoum State, Sudan

This study was conducted in 2004 among 1200 households in Khartoum to estimate the direct and indirect economic costs of malaria for households. Information on the household and the malaria episodes was collected (care-seeking behaviour, working days lost and expenditure on malaria treatment). There were 327 episodes of malaria; 25.2% of the households reported at least 1 malaria episode during the month preceding the survey. In only 18.0% of malaria episodes was the individual economically active. The average treatment expenditure per fully cured case was US$ 6.3 (SD 5.9). The average indirect cost per fully cured case was U.S. $3.2 (SD 9.2); it was higher for individuals working in the informal sector than those employed in the formal sector.