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The economic cost of pelvic inflammatory disease
Insights
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) poses a significant economic burden, costing over $2.6 billion in 1984. Without intervention, this cost is projected to reach $3.5 billion annually by 1990, highlighting the need for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a prevalent and incapacitating condition for women.
- PID and its sequelae, including ectopic pregnancy and infertility, incur substantial societal costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the economic impact of PID and its associated complications in the United States.
- To project future costs based on inflation and constant incidence rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from local hospitals, state, and national sources.
- Computation of both direct and indirect economic costs associated with PID.
Main Results:
- The total economic cost of PID and its sequelae was over $2.6 billion in 1984.
- Projected annual costs for PID and its sequelae were estimated to reach $3.50 billion by 1990, assuming a 5% medical care inflation rate and constant incidence.
Conclusions:
- The substantial and escalating economic burden of PID underscores the critical need for effective prevention strategies.
- Economic data highlights the public health imperative to address PID and its long-term consequences.
Abstract:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is one of the most widespread and debilitating diseases affecting women today. To calculate the economic costs of PID and PID-associated ectopic pregnancy and infertility in the United States, we analyzed data from local hospitals and from several state and national sources. Direct and indirect costs were computed. We found that the total cost of PID and PID-associated ectopic pregnancy and infertility exceeded +2.6 billion in 1984. By 1990, the estimated cost of PID and its sequelae will total +3.50 billion per year, if the annual medical care inflation is 5% and the incidence of PID remains constant during this six-year period. These estimated costs of PID and its associated sequelae emphasize the urgent need for effective programs to prevent PID.