The cost of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
Dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) involve a substantial cost to Swedish society. There is a lack of up-to-date nationwide cost estimates after 1985. This study was conducted to present a comprehensive and updated cost analysis and study the change over time of the national cost of these disorders.


METHODS
Primarily, data from National Swedish databases and secondly, data from databases from the County of Uppsala for 1997 were used for the calculations and estimations.


CONCLUSIONS
Swedish societal perspective.


RESULTS
The total cost to Swedish society of dyspepsia, PUD and GORD in 1997 was $US424 million, or $US63 per adult. Direct costs totalled $US258 million (61%) while indirect costs totalled $US166 million (39%). The highest proportions of costs were due to drugs and sick leave, these being 37 and 34%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The cost of dyspepsia and GORD is substantial for patients, health providers and society. Since 1985, drug costs have increased substantially while the cost of sick leave has decreased.
Agréus
Lars
L
Family Medicine Stockholm, Karolinska Institute, Sweden. lars.agreus@klinvet.ki.se
Borgquist
Lars
L
D017281:Cost of Illness; D016527:Drug Costs; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000191:economics*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000191:economics*