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The Dyspepsia Educational Tool As a Novel Aid in Dyspepsia Management
Published on: June 29, 2019
Functional dyspepsia: the economic impact to patients
B E Lacy1, K T Weiser, A T Kennedy
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. brian.e.lacy@hitchcock.org
Background:
Although highly prevalent, little is known about the economic impact of functional dyspepsia (FD).
Aims:
To quantify FD patients' health care utilisation patterns and to estimate direct and indirect costs of FD to patients.
Methods:
ICD-9 codes identified adult patients with dyspepsia. A validated questionnaire was mailed to patients who met Rome III criteria for FD.
Results:
Three hundred and fifty-five patients met all inclusion criteria. The response rate was 63%. The respondents' mean age was 50 (14) years; 75% were women; 52% of respondents rated their FD as moderate. Patients reported 3 visits (mean) to their PCP over 12 months; 75% reported having blood work, 92% an EGD, 59% an ultrasound and 40% a CT scan. The direct cost of testing using Medicare reimbursement rates per patient was $582. To treat FD symptoms, 89% tried dietary changes, 89% over-the-counter medications, 87% prescription medications and 25% alternative therapies. Mean patient expenditure over the last year was $246 for OTC medications (range $0-12,000), $290 for co-payments (range $0-9,000) and $110 for alternative treatments (range $0-3,741). Total mean direct cost yearly to patients was $699. In the 7 days prior to completing the questionnaire, respondents reported a mean of 1.4 h absence from work. Extrapolating the results to the US population, we conservatively calculate the costs of FD were $18.4 billion in 2009.
Conclusions:
Functional dyspepsia patients incur significant direct and indirect costs and work productivity is impaired by dyspeptic symptoms.
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