title: Association between component costs, study methodologies, and foodborne illness-related factors with the cost of nontyphoidal Salmonella illness.
abstract: Nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. are one of the most common causes of bacterial foodborne illness. Variability in cost inventories and study methodologies limits the possibility of meaningfully interpreting and comparing cost-of-illness (COI) estimates, reducing their usefulness. However, little is known about the relative effect these factors have on a cost-of-illness estimate. This is important for comparing existing estimates and when designing new cost-of-illness studies. Cost-of-illness estimates, identified through a scoping review, were used to investigate the association between descriptive, component cost, methodological, and foodborne illness-related factors such as chronic sequelae and under-reporting with the cost of nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. illness. The standardized cost of nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. illness from 30 estimates reported in 29 studies ranged from $0.01568 to $41.22 United States dollars (USD)/person/year (2012). The mean cost of nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. illness was $10.37 USD/person/year (2012). The following factors were found to be significant in multiple linear regression (p≤0.05): the number of direct component cost categories included in an estimate (0-4, particularly long-term care costs) and chronic sequelae costs (inclusion/exclusion), which had positive associations with the cost of nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. illness. Factors related to study methodology were not significant. Our findings indicated that study methodology may not be as influential as other factors, such as the number of direct component cost categories included in an estimate and costs incurred due to chronic sequelae. Therefore, these may be the most important factors to consider when designing, interpreting, and comparing cost of foodborne illness studies.
authors: 1 Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph , Guelph, Ontario, Canada .
authors: Taylor
authors: T
authors: McLinden
authors: Jan M
authors: JM
authors: Sargeant
authors: M Kate
authors: MK
authors: Thomas
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Papadopoulos
authors: Aamir
authors: A
authors: Fazil
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012107:Research Design; D012475:Salmonella / Q000502:physiology*; D012478:Salmonella Food Poisoning / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology