School of Health Policy and Practice, Elizabeth Fry Building, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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Abstract |
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Methods. Four computerized literature databases were searched to identify all the literature relevant to this review. Seven elements indicating a quality cost-of-illness study were established and used to appraise the literature identified critically. Where possible, costs reported by the different studies were converted to 1996 US dollars using the consumer price index for medical care.
Results. Total average medical costs were reported to range from US$5720 (UK£3575) to US$5822 (UK£3638). Medication constituted between 8 and 24% of total medical costs, physician visits between 8 and 21%, and in-patient stays between 17 and 88%. The average number of days absent from work due to a person's RA was reported to range from 2.7 to 30 days/year.
Conclusion. The economic impact of RA in terms of cost was reported to be substantial by all studies reviewed. However, methodological problems meant that discrepancies in the average (per person) annual cost of RA existed across studies.
KEY WORDS: Rheumatoid arthritis, Economics, Costs, Review
Submitted 24 March 1999;
revised version accepted 6 July 1999.