title: Direct and indirect costs of pain therapy for osteoarthritis in an insured population in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the health care utilization and cost of illness for osteoarthritis (OA) patients taking pain medications. Specifically, the goals were to estimate the direct health care and indirect costs of OA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A claims database of privately insured patients was used to identify OA patients. Prescription drug pain treatments included tramadol, cyclooxygenase-II inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Mean annual per patient costs were calculated from an employer's perspective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OA patients were prescribed multiple drugs simultaneously and/or sequentially to manage pain. OA patients had a number of prevalent comorbid conditions. Average annual direct medical, drug, and indirect work loss costs were $8601, $2941, and $4603, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a substantial payer burden associated with OA resulting from the drug, medical, and disability costs and OA-related comorbidities and high concomitant medication utilization.
authors.affiliation: Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, MA 02199, USA. AWhite@analysisgroup.com
authors.forename: Alan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Howard G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janagap
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buteau
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schein
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000191:economics*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000191:economics*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014147:Tramadol / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014147:Tramadol; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2