RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cost of Illness and Determinants of Costs Among Patients with Gout
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP jrheum.140679
DO 10.3899/jrheum.140679
A1 Bart Spaetgens
A1 José M.A.  Wijnands
A1 Caroline van Durme
A1 Sjef van der Linden
A1 Annelies Boonen
YR 2014
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2014/11/11/jrheum.140679.abstract
AB Objective To estimate costs of illness in a cross-sectional cohort of patients with gout attending an outpatient rheumatology clinic, and to evaluate which factors contribute to higher costs. Methods Altogether, 126 patients with gout were clinically assessed. They completed a series of questionnaires. Health resource use was collected using a self-report questionnaire that was cross-checked with the electronic patient file. Productivity loss was assessed by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire, addressing absenteeism and presenteeism. Resource use and productivity loss were valued by real costs, and annual costs per patient were calculated. Factors contributing to incurring costs above the median were explored using logistic univariable and multivariable regression analysis. Results Mean (median) annual direct costs of gout were €5647 (€1148) per patient. Total costs increased to €6914 (€1279) or €10,894 (€1840) per patient per year when adding cost for absenteeism or both absenteeism and presenteeism, respectively. Factors independently associated with high direct and high indirect costs were a positive history of cardiovascular disease, functional limitations, and female sex. In addition, pain, gout concerns, and unmet gout treatment needs were associated with high direct costs. Conclusion The direct and indirect costs-of-illness of gout are primarily associated with cardiovascular disease, functional limitations, and female sex.