title: [Costs of non-specific low back pain in Austria].
abstract: The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the annual direct costs of chronic non-specific low back pain in Austria in patients currently undergoing in-patient rehabilitation or out-patient treatment. 48 patients participated in the study. Average direct medical costs per patient year as paid by the sick funds were € 1443,-, in-patient rehabilitation was the single most expensive direct cost factor. Non-medical costs, that is, mainly household assistance and home adaptations, were € 394,-; deductibles and non-reimbursable medical costs were € 329. On average, patients had 2.7 co-morbidities (men: 2.2; women: 2.9).
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Rheumatologie, Balneologie und Rehabilitation, Rheuma-Sonderkrankenanstalt Baden der NÖ Gebietskrankenkasse, Baden, Austria. ernst.wagner@noegkk.at
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001317:Austria; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics; D006796:Household Work / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000191:economics