The cost of care of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients in tertiary care rheumatology units in Turkey
Date
2012
Authors
Malhan, Simten
Pay, Salih
Ataman, Şebnem
Dinç, Ayhan
Erken, Eren
Ertenli, İhsan
Ertuǧrul, Esin
Göǧüş, Feride Nur
Hamuryudan, Vedat
İnanç, Murat
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Clinical & Exper Rheumatology
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the direct and indirect costs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in Turkey. Methods: An expert panel was convened to estimate the direct and indirect costs of care of patients with RA and AS in Turkey. The panel was composed of 22 experts chosen from all national tertiary care rheumatology units (n=53). To calculate direct costs, the medical management of RA and AS patients was estimated using "cost-of-illness" methodology. To measure indirect costs, the number of days of sick leave, the extent of disability, and the levels of early retirement and early death were also evaluated. Lost productivity costs were calculated using the "human capital approach", based on the minimum wage. Results: The total annual direct costs were 2,917.03 Euros per RA patient and 3,565.9 Euros for each AS patient. The direct costs were thus substantial, but the indirect costs were much higher because of extensive morbidity and mortality rates. The total annual indirect costs were 7,058.99 Euros per RA patient and 6,989.81 for each AS patient. Thus, the total cost for each RA patient was 9,976.01 Euros and that for an AS patient 10,555.72 Euros, in Turkey. Conclusion: From the societal perspective, both RA and AS have become burden in Turkey. The cost of lost productivity is higher than the medical cost. Another important conclusion is that indirect costs constitute 70% and 66% of total costs in patients with RA and AS, respectively.
Description
Keywords
Rheumatology, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Cost, Turkey, Productivity costs, Work disability, Economic burden, Employment, Prevalence, Illness, İzmir
Citation
Malhan, S. vd. (2012). "The cost of care of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients in tertiary care rheumatology units in Turkey". Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 30(2), 202-207.