Mansoureh Togha1,2, Fatemeh Nadjafi-Semnani3, Fahimeh Martami4, Zahra Mohammadshirazi5, Niusha Vahidpour6, Ali Akbari-Sari7, Rajabali Daroudi7. 1. Headache Department, Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. togha1961@gmail.com. 2. Headache Department, Neurology Ward, Sina University Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. togha1961@gmail.com. 3. Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Institute Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Headache Department, Neurology Ward, Sina University Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 5. Shariari Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6. Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 7. Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) as a secondary chronic headache imposes a considerable burden on both individuals and societies. Nevertheless, little is known about the burden of MOH in Iran. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to quantify the annual cost of MOH among Iranian patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 84 patients were recruited. Demographic data, headache attack characteristics, related disability, and information about the economic burden of MOH were collected through face-to-face interview. Direct medical and nonmedical costs as well as indirect costs were included in our cost analysis. The prevalence-based approach was applied to estimate the economic burden of MOH. RESULTS: We found that MOH patients in Iran spend averagely $1046 for medical services, $132 for nonmedical services, and $1432 due to lost productivity per year. The per-person annual cost of MOH was US$2610, and the total annual cost for Iran was $10,179,000,000, with direct and indirect cost accounting for 45% and 55%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MOH leads to substantial healthcare costs and significant loss of productivity in Iran. Therefore, raising awareness in this area especially for policymakers can use in future health planning and lead to resource allocation in the field of disabling type of headache disorders such as MOH. Our findings also provide a different insight into the burden of MOH, which are likely closer to the actual costs in middle- and low-income countries, and also it could be a sample of such a study in western Asia.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) as a secondary chronic headache imposes a considerable burden on both individuals and societies. Nevertheless, little is known about the burden of MOH in Iran. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to quantify the annual cost of MOH among Iranian patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 84 patients were recruited. Demographic data, headache attack characteristics, related disability, and information about the economic burden of MOH were collected through face-to-face interview. Direct medical and nonmedical costs as well as indirect costs were included in our cost analysis. The prevalence-based approach was applied to estimate the economic burden of MOH. RESULTS: We found that MOH patients in Iran spend averagely $1046 for medical services, $132 for nonmedical services, and $1432 due to lost productivity per year. The per-person annual cost of MOH was US$2610, and the total annual cost for Iran was $10,179,000,000, with direct and indirect cost accounting for 45% and 55%, respectively. CONCLUSION: MOH leads to substantial healthcare costs and significant loss of productivity in Iran. Therefore, raising awareness in this area especially for policymakers can use in future health planning and lead to resource allocation in the field of disabling type of headache disorders such as MOH. Our findings also provide a different insight into the burden of MOH, which are likely closer to the actual costs in middle- and low-income countries, and also it could be a sample of such a study in western Asia.
Authors: Timothy J Steiner; Rigmor Jensen; Zaza Katsarava; Lars Jacob Stovner; Derya Uluduz; Latifa Adarmouch; Mohammed Al Jumah; Ali M Al Khathaami; Messoud Ashina; Mark Braschinsky; Susan Broner; Jon H Eliasson; Raquel Gil-Gouveia; Juan B Gómez-Galván; Larus S Gudmundsson; Akbar A Herekar; Nfwama Kawatu; Najib Kissani; Girish Baburao Kulkarni; Elena R Lebedeva; Matilde Leonardi; Mattias Linde; Otgonbayar Luvsannorov; Youssoufa Maiga; Ivan Milanov; Dimos D Mitsikostas; Teymur Musayev; Jes Olesen; Vera Osipova; Koen Paemeleire; Mario F P Peres; Guiovanna Quispe; Girish N Rao; Ajay Risal; Elena Ruiz de la Torre; Deanna Saylor; Mansoureh Togha; Sheng-Yuan Yu; Mehila Zebenigus; Yared Zenebe Zewde; Jasna Zidverc-Trajković; Michela Tinelli Journal: J Headache Pain Date: 2021-07-21 Impact factor: 7.277