What cost chronic pain?

Chronic non-malignant pain costs the American economy $40 billion a year. An attempt to quantify the total cost to the Irish economy of 95 patients attending a Multi-Disciplinary Pain Clinic was made. The cost to the Health Services was estimated and added to the amount of Social Welfare payments received and the lost earnings of each patient. The results indicated that the 95 patients cost 1.9 million pounds at the time of referral. A subgroup of 22 patients who were younger and unemployed, accounted for 1.5 million pounds. Allocation of resources to treat these patients is necessary.