Chronic non-malignant pain patients and health economic consequences.
A prospective cohort study on chronic non-malignant pain patients was performed to describe health consequences and changes in use of health care resources and social transfers following multidisciplinary pain treatment. Patients, referred to a Danish Multidisciplinary Pain Center (MPC), were evaluated during four periods: six months prior to referral, waiting list period, intervention, nine months follow-up.


METHODS
pain intensity (VAS), The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), The Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB), The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). Use of health care resources and social transfers were retrieved from public registers. Statistically significant improvements were obtained in pain intensity, SF-36 bodily pain, PGWB index and subscores vitality, and general health at discharge and follow-up. Intervention costs amounted to EUR 1102 (SD 721). Health care costs were not significantly reduced, but significant reductions in social transfers were seen.
Thomsen
Annemarie Bondegaard
AB
Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Danish National Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. doctorthomsen@hotmail.com
Sørensen
Jan
J
Sjøgren
Per
P
Eriksen
Jørgen
J
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology*; D018710:Pain Clinics / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents