Different approaches to valuing the lost productivity of patients with migraine.
OBJECTIVE
To calculate and compare the human capital approach (HCA) and friction cost approach (FCA) methods for estimating the cost of lost productivity of migraineurs after the initiation of sumatriptan from a US societal perspective.


METHODS
Secondary, retrospective analysis to a prospective observational study.


METHODS
A mixed-model managed care organisation in western Pennsylvania, USA.


METHODS
Patients with migraine using sumatriptan therapy.


METHODS
Patient-reported questionnaires collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months after initiation of sumatriptan therapy.


METHODS
The cost of lost productivity estimated with the HCA and FCA methods.


RESULTS
Of the 178 patients who completed the study, 51% were full-time employees, 13% were part-time, 18% were not working and 17% changed work status. Twenty-four percent reported a clerical or administrative position. From the HCA, the estimated total cost of lost productivity for 6 months following the initiation of sumatriptan was $US117905 (1996 values). From the FCA, the six-month estimated total cost of lost productivity ranged from $US28329 to $US117905 (1996 values).


CONCLUSIONS
This was the first study to retrospectively estimate lost productivity of patients with migraine using the FCA methodology. Our results demonstrate that depending on the assumptions and illustrations employed, the FCA can yield lost productivity estimates that vary greatly as a percentage of the HCA estimate. Prospective investigations are needed to better determine the components and the nature of the lost productivity for chronic episodic diseases such as migraine headache.
Lofland
J H
JH
Office of Health Policy and Clinical Outcomes, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-5099, USA. jennifer.lofland@mail.tju.edu
Locklear
J C
JC
Frick
K D
KD
D000041:Absenteeism; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D009790:Occupations; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D018170:Sumatriptan