Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Pages: 1388-1397

Journal: Epilepsia: Official journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Volume number: 56

Issue number: 9

ISSN: 0013-9580

eISSN: 1528-1167

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13089

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 

ObjectiveTo provide first data on the cost of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany.

MethodsA population-based, cross-sectional sample of consecutive children and adolescents with epilepsy was evaluated in the states of Hessen and Schleswig-Holstein (total of 8.796million 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.

ResultsWe collected data from 489 children and adolescents (mean age SD 10.4 +/- 4.2years, range 0.5-17.8years; 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 Euro1,619 +/- Euro4,375 per participant and 3-month period. Direct medical costs were due mainly to hospitalization (47.8%, Euro774 +/- Euro3,595 per 3months), anticonvulsants (13.2%, Euro213 +/- Euro363), and ancillary treatment (9.1%, Euro147 +/- Euro344). The total indirect costs amounted to Euro1,231 +/- Euro2,830 in mothers and to Euro83 +/- Euro593 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.

SignificanceTreatment 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.

Harvard Citation style: Riechmann, J., Strzelczyk, A., Reese, J., Boor, R., Stephani, U., Langner, C., et al. (2015) Costs of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany, Epilepsia: Official journal of the International League Against Epilepsy, 56(9), pp. 1388-1397. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13089

APA Citation style: Riechmann, J., Strzelczyk, A., Reese, J., Boor, R., Stephani, U., Langner, C., Neubauer, B., Oberman, B., Philippi, H., Rochel, M., Seeger, J., Seipelt, P., Oertel, W., Dodel, R., Rosenow, F., & Hamer, H. (2015). Costs of epilepsy and cost-driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany. Epilepsia: Official journal of the International League Against Epilepsy. 56(9), 1388-1397. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13089