Costs and consequences of chronic pain due to musculoskeletal disorders from a health system perspective in Chile

Abstract

Background:Chronic pain is a prevalent and distressing condition caused by an unceasing pain lasting more than 3 months or a pain that persists beyond the normal healing time. There is evidence of inadequate management partly explained by the unawareness regarding the magnitude of the problem.Objectives:To estimate the annual expected costs and consequences of chronic pain caused by musculoskeletal diseases from the health system perspective in Chile.Methods:A Markov cohort model was built to represent chronic pain and estimate expected costs and consequences over 1-year time horizon. Transition probabilities were obtained through expert elicitation. Consequences examined were: years lost to disability (YLD), depression, anxiety, and productivity losses. Direct health care costs were estimated using local sources. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to characterize second-order uncertainty.Results:The annual expected cost due to musculoskeletal chronic pain was estimated in USD $1387.2 million, equivalent to 0.417% of the national GDP. Lower back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee explained the larger proportion of the total cost, 31.8% and 27.1%, respectively. Depression attributed to chronic pain is another important consequence accounting for USD $94 million (Bayesian credibility interval 95% $49.1–$156.26). Productivity losses were also important cost, although early retirement and presenteeism were not measured. Chronic pain causes 137,037 YLDs.Conclusion:Chronic pain is not only an important cause of disability but also responsible for high social and financial burden in Chile. Public health programs focused on managing chronic pain may decrease burden of disease and possibly reduce costs.

Low back pain should be considered a health and research priority in Brazil: Lost productivity and healthcare costs between 2012 to 2016

“…We found a total expense of around US$ 2.2 billion for patients with LBP in Brazil (annual expending of around US$ 500 million). This finding is consistent with previous research from other countries, showing high healthcare and lost productivity costs among individuals with LBP [6,10,15,33,34]. For instance, the lost productivity costs related to disability due to chronic spine pain in Portugal in 2010 was approximately € 739 million, mostly in individuals aged between 50 to 59 years [7].…”

Chronic Pain Hurts the Brain: The Pain Physician’s Perspective

“…Chronic pain has a significant impact on both individuals and society. The costs of chronic musculoskeletal pain can reach 0,5% of the whole GDP based on a study from Chile, while the economic cost of migraine can be as high as £835 million annually in the UK [3,4].…”

Is Prescribing Custom Orthotics Enough to Prevent and Treat Musculoskeletal Injuries and Degeneration? What if we Integrated Biomechanical X-ray Measurements with the Laser Foot Scan Procedure? Could this Reduce Injuries Even More?

“…Depression attributed to chronic pain is another important consequence accounting for USD $94 million (Bayesian credibility interval 95% $49.1-$156.26). Productivity losses were also an important cost, although early retirement and presenteeism data are not available (Vargas et al, 2018). The societal impact of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders is not only incalculable but enormous as a burden as well.…”