The economic cost of epilepsy: a review of the literature.
Economic concerns are increasingly important in health system design, provider payment, and research funding decisions. Cost estimates are needed to provide insight into where the potential opportunities for cost-savings lie and to lay the groundwork for research to determine how to treat the disorder more effectively. The methods used by economists to estimate the direct and indirect costs of epilepsy are reviewed and results from studies in different countries are discussed. General patterns across patients with different types of conditions are reported. Gaps in the literature are identified and future research needs are assessed.
Begley
Charles E
CE
School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Beghi
Ettore
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology