Costs of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany
Riechmann J, Strzelczyk A, Reese JP, Boor R, Stephani U, Langner C, Neubauer BA, Oberman B, Philippi H, Rochel M, Seeger J, Seipelt P, Oertel WH, Dodel R, Rosenow F, Hamer H (2015)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Book Volume: 56
Pages Range: 1388-97
Journal Issue: 9
DOI: 10.1111/epi.13089
Abstract
To provide first data on the cost of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany.A population-based, cross-sectional sample of consecutive children and adolescents with epilepsy was evaluated in the states of Hessen and Schleswig-Holstein (total of 8.796 million inhabitants) in all health care sectors in 2011. Data on socioeconomic status, course of epilepsy, and direct and indirect costs were recorded using patient questionnaires.We collected data from 489 children and adolescents (mean age ± SD 10.4 ± 4.2 years, range 0.5-17.8 years; 264 [54.0%] male) who were treated by neuropediatricians (n = 253; 51.7%), at centers for social pediatrics ("Sozialpaediatrische Zentren," n = 110, 22.5%) and epilepsy centers (n = 126; 25.8%). Total direct costs summed up to EUR1,619 ± EUR4,375 per participant and 3-month period. Direct medical costs were due mainly to hospitalization (47.8%, EUR774 ± EUR3,595 per 3 months), anticonvulsants (13.2%, EUR213 ± EUR363), and ancillary treatment (9.1%, EUR147 ± EUR344). The total indirect costs amounted to EUR1,231 ± EUR2,830 in mothers and to EUR83 ± EUR593 in fathers; 17.4% (n = 85) of mothers and 0.6% (n = 3) of fathers reduced their working hours or quit work because of their child's epilepsy. Independent cost-driving factors were younger age, symptomatic cause, and polytherapy with anticonvulsants. Older age, active epilepsy, symptomatic cause, and polytherapy were independent predictors of higher antiepileptic drug (AED) costs, whereas younger age, longer epilepsy duration, symptomatic cause, disability, and parental depression were independent predictors for higher indirect costs.Treatment of children and adolescents with epilepsy is associated with high direct costs due to frequent inpatient admissions and high indirect costs due to productivity losses in mothers. Direct costs are age-dependent and higher in patients with symptomatic epilepsy and polytherapy. Indirect costs are higher in the presence of a child's disability and parental depression.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Philipps-Universität Marburg
Germany (DE)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Germany (DE)
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Germany (DE)
Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum Frankfurt Mitte
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Germany (DE)
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Germany (DE)
Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum Frankfurt Mitte
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Riechmann, J., Strzelczyk, A., Reese, J.P., Boor, R., Stephani, U., Langner, C.,... Hamer, H. (2015). Costs of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany. Epilepsia, 56(9), 1388-97. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13089
MLA:
Riechmann, Janna, et al. "Costs of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany." Epilepsia 56.9 (2015): 1388-97.
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