title: The economic cost of nonepileptic attack disorder in Ireland.
abstract: The present study endeavored to calculate a conservative estimate of both incidence- and prevalence-based costs of nonepileptic attack disorder (NEAD) in Ireland by applying previously identified prevalence figures to Irish population figures. Variables related to the economic cost of NEAD were identified based on a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with NEAD at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. The annual cost per patient of undiagnosed NEAD was calculated as €20,995.30. The combined cost of diagnosis and psychological treatment of NEAD was estimated at €8728. Although it is difficult to determine precise economic costings, early diagnosis and intervention would result in a significant economic saving to the exchequer, a reduction in hospital waiting-list times, and a better prognosis for patients.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland; School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delanty
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pender
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland. Electronic address: Gillian.Fortune@olchc.ie.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fortune
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Cost of illness; Health economics; Incidence; Nonepileptic seizures; Prevalence