title: The economics associated with persistent pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review aims to assess the economic impact of inadequate, inappropriate and ineffective treatments of persistent pain from the perspective of the individual, their families and communities, healthcare systems, economies and societies in general.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The economic impact of persistent and chronic pain poses a substantial burden on individual patients, their families, employers, economies and societies in general. It is recognized that the impact of persistent pain is greater than most other health conditions, due to its effects on rates of absenteeism, reduced levels of productivity and increased risk of leaving the labour market, as well as the costs to the healthcare system and other government agencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The burden of suffering that pain imposes on individuals and the enormous costs that society has to bear as a result clearly demonstrate that policy makers at governmental level and commissioners, and healthcare decision-makers alike should adopt a broad, strategic and coherent perspective in determining issues relating to service provision and resource allocation.
authors: Swansea Centre for Health Economics, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK. C.J.Phillips@swansea.ac.uk
authors: Ceri J
authors: CJ
authors: Phillips
authors: Christie
authors: C
authors: Harper
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004526:Efficiency; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000191:economics*; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile