August 1, 1995Pain
A cost-of-illness study of back pain in The Netherlands
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Discussion
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Implication
Cost-of-illness study estimates significant economic burden of back pain in the Netherlands, indicating urgent need for intervention.
Key Points
- Estimate the costs of back pain to society in The Netherlands in 1991.
- Estimated total costs of back pain as a percentage of GNP.
- Analyzed direct medical costs and indirect costs related to absenteeism and disablement.
- Calculated mean costs per case for inpatient and outpatient hospital care.
- Back pain costs constituted 1.7% of GNP and $367.6 million in direct medical costs.
- Total indirect costs were estimated at $4.6 billion, with absenteeism at $3.1 billion.
- Indirect costs made up 93% of total costs, highlighting the economic burden of back pain.
Cite This Study
Tulder et al. (1995) studied this question.