Published in:
01-09-2013 | General Gynecology
Costs of endometriosis in Austria: a survey of direct and indirect costs
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 3/2013
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Purpose
The literature includes a wealth of medical data on endometriosis, but the economic significance of the condition has so far been neglected. An analysis of hospital costs for endometriosis in Austria was, therefore, carried out for economic purposes.
Methods
Seventy-three patients with endometriosis were included in the study. A bottom-up approach was used to collect data on the average hospital costs of an endometriosis patient over a time period of 1 year. In addition, a prevalence approach was used that allows subsequent estimation of the total costs of endometriosis for the health-care system in Austria for that period. Retrospective questionnaire survey was conducted.
Results
The average annual costs of one case of endometriosis are €7,712, with €5,605.55 attributable to direct costs and €2,106.34 to indirect costs. This indicates an overall economic burden of €328 million. In-patient care (45 %) and loss of productivity (27 %) were identified as the major cost factors. The patients themselves pay for 13 % of the costs (through out-of-pocket payments).
Conclusions
This study impressively demonstrates the financial burden on the economy and on each individually affected patient caused by the disease of endometriosis. The massive consumption of resources represents a high level of usage of the medical services provided. The question arises as to whether more timely diagnosis, followed by better-targeted treatment, might have the potential to reduce these costs. The overall economic burden of endometriosis in Austria is currently comparable with that of Parkinson’s disease.