Cost-of-disease analysis in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's mucosa.
BACKGROUND
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and frequently chronic condition that causes considerable costs.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the economic burden caused by patients with erosive and non-erosive reflux disease, and Barrett's oesophagus.


METHODS
The Progression of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease study includes a total of 6,215 patients. At baseline, patients were categorized as non-erosive reflux disease, erosive reflux disease, or Barrett's oesophagus according to endoscopic findings alone or as confirmed by histology. Direct and indirect disease-related costs were calculated based on 5,273 patients with complete information in the second year of the study.


RESULTS
A total of 73% of the Progression of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease patients had taken GERD medication, 61% had visited a doctor, and 2% had been hospitalized because of GERD during the previous 12 months. Of all employed persons, 6% reported days off work because of GERD. This health resource utilization caused direct costs of 342+/-864 (mean+/-s.d.) and indirect costs of 40+/-473 per patient and year. Total costs for patients with Barrett's oesophagus or erosive reflux disease were higher than those for patients with non-erosive reflux disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with GERD frequently need long-term medication and doctor care. The disorder is associated with a considerable health economic burden to society.
Willich
S N
SN
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany. stefan.willich@charite.de
Nocon
M
M
Kulig
M
M
Jaspersen
D
D
Labenz
J
J
Meyer-Sabellek
W
W
Stolte
M
M
Lind
T
T
Malfertheiner
P
P
D001317:Austria; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000191:economics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000191:economics*; D005858:Germany; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013557:Switzerland