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Cost-of-illness of patients with lymphoedema
M Gutknecht1, K Herberger1, K Klose1
1Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
Insights
Chronic lymphoedema incurs significant costs, with annual expenses averaging €5784 per patient in Hamburg. Early diagnosis and structured management are crucial to reduce the economic burden of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Economics
- Public Health
- Chronic Disease Management
Background:
- Chronic lymphoedema significantly impacts quality of life and necessitates ongoing medical care.
- Approximately 4.5 million individuals in Germany are affected by lymphoedema, leading to substantial healthcare expenditures.
- Complications like erysipelas and ulcers exacerbate the direct and indirect costs associated with lymphoedema.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the costs of illness for community-dwelling lymphoedema patients in Hamburg, Germany.
- To analyze direct and indirect cost components for patients, statutory health insurance, and society.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Data collection involved examining and interviewing 348 patients diagnosed with lymphoedema or lipolymphoedema.
- Analysis encompassed direct and indirect costs across patient, insurance, and societal perspectives.
Main Results:
- The average total annual cost per patient was €5784, comprising €4445 (76.9%) in direct costs and €1338 in indirect costs.
- Statutory health insurance covered €3796 of direct medical costs, while patients incurred €649.
- Manual decongestive therapy and disability-related expenses were identified as primary cost drivers.
Conclusions:
- Chronic lymphoedema presents a considerable direct and indirect economic burden.
- This study provides the first cost analysis of community-based lymphoedema and lipolymphoedema, highlighting their economic impact.
- Implementing structured disease management programs is essential for early diagnosis, effective treatment, complication avoidance, and mitigation of the socio-economic burden.
Background:
Chronic lymphoedema is characterized by a continuous need for medical treatment, many comorbidities and impaired quality of life. In Germany, about 4.5 million patients are affected by lymphoedema. Thus, lymphoedema causes high direct and indirect costs, even more in case of complications such as erysipelas and ulcers.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine the costs of illness of community lymphoedema patients living in the metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany.
Methods:
An observational cross-sectional study in patients with lymphoedema and combined lipolymphoedema of any origin was performed analysing direct and indirect costs for the patients, the statutory health insurance and society.
Results:
In total, 348 patients (90.8% female) were examined and interviewed. The mean age of the patients was 57.3 ± 14.5 years. On average, the total costs per patient and year were € 5784, of which € 4445 (76.9%) were direct costs and € 1338 indirect costs. Within the direct medical costs, € 3796 were accounted for the statutory health insurances and € 649 for the patient. The main cost drivers were costs for manual decongestive therapy and disability costs.
Conclusion:
Chronic lymphoedema is associated with high direct and indirect costs. This community-based study is the first cost analysis of chronic lymphoedema and combined lipolymphoedema giving insights to economic impact of lymphoedema treatment. There is a high need for structured disease management programs in order to diagnose and treat lymphoedema early and to avoid complications, thus limiting socio-economic burden.
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