Ann-Kristin Ruhe1, Julia Wager2, Roland Linder3, Andreas Meusch3, Ingo Pfenning3, Boris Zernikow2. 1. Deutsches Kinderschmerzzentrum, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Lehrstuhl für Kinderschmerztherapie und Pädiatrische Palliativversorgung, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Dr.-Friedrich-Steiner-Str. 5, 45711, Datteln, Deutschland. a.ruhe@deutsches-kinderschmerzzentrum.de. 2. Deutsches Kinderschmerzzentrum, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Lehrstuhl für Kinderschmerztherapie und Pädiatrische Palliativversorgung, Fakultät für Gesundheit, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Dr.-Friedrich-Steiner-Str. 5, 45711, Datteln, Deutschland. 3. Die Techniker, Techniker Krankenkasse, Bramfelder Str. 140, 22305, Hamburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a frequent and disabling health problem in children and adolescents and is associated with high health care utilization and costs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the direct and indirect costs of chronic pain in children and adolescents in monetary terms before and after multimodal pain therapy from a societal perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Health care costs 12 months before and after multimodal pain therapy include direct costs from statutory health insurances and parents as well as indirect costs due to working days lost. RESULTS: Direct median costs before multimodal treatment were 5619 € (min-max: 377-35,509 €) per year. In the year after pain therapy, costs decreased to a median of 3262 € (min-max: 142-42,910 €) (p = 0.001). In all, 55% of patients showed a significant cost reduction, while 18% had a cost increase. CONCLUSIONS: An effective multimodal pain therapy may reduce health care costs in children and adolescents. Further economic studies are needed to evaluate long-term effects of pain therapy for children and adolescents with chronic pain in a controlled design.
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a frequent and disabling health problem in children and adolescents and is associated with high health care utilization and costs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the direct and indirect costs of chronic pain in children and adolescents in monetary terms before and after multimodal pain therapy from a societal perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Health care costs 12 months before and after multimodal pain therapy include direct costs from statutory health insurances and parents as well as indirect costs due to working days lost. RESULTS: Direct median costs before multimodal treatment were 5619 € (min-max: 377-35,509 €) per year. In the year after pain therapy, costs decreased to a median of 3262 € (min-max: 142-42,910 €) (p = 0.001). In all, 55% of patients showed a significant cost reduction, while 18% had a cost increase. CONCLUSIONS: An effective multimodal pain therapy may reduce health care costs in children and adolescents. Further economic studies are needed to evaluate long-term effects of pain therapy for children and adolescents with chronic pain in a controlled design.