Three-year cost analysis of function-centred versus pain-centred inpatient rehabilitation in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To compare costs of function- and pain-centred inpatient treatment in patients with chronic low back pain over 3 years of follow-up.


METHODS
Cost analysis of a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
A total of 174 patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to function- or pain-centred inpatient treatment.


METHODS
Data on direct and indirect costs were gathered by questionnaires sent to patients, health insurance providers, employers, and the Swiss Disability Insurance Company.


RESULTS
There was a non-significant difference in total medical costs after 3 years' follow-up. Total costs were 77,305 Euros in the function-centred inpatient treatment group and 83,085 Euros in the pain-centred inpatient treatment group. Likewise, indirect costs after 3 years from lost work days were non-significantly lower in the function-centred in-patient treatment group (6354 Euros; 95% confidence interval -20,892, 8392) and direct medical costs were non-significantly higher in the function-centred inpatient treatment group (574 Euros; 95% confidence interval -862, 2011).


CONCLUSIONS
The total costs of function-centred and pain-centred inpatient treatment were similar over the whole 3-year follow-up.
Klinik für Rheumatologie und Rehabilitation des Bewegungsapparates, Rehabilitationszentrum Klinik Valens, CH-7317 Valens, Switzerland. s.bachmann@klinik-valens.ch
Stefan
S
Bachmann
Simon
S
Wieser
Peter
P
Oesch
Sara
S
Schmidhauser
Otto
O
Knüsel
Jan
J
Kool
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000191:economics; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational