Treatment Expenditure Pattern of Epileptic Patients: A Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kolkata, India

Abstract

Introduction. Neurological diseases are very important causes of prolonged morbidity and disability leading to profound financial loss. Epilepsy is one of the most important neurological disorders. It being a cost intensive disorder poses a significant economic burden to the country. Aims and Objectives. The study was conducted among the persons with epilepsy (PWE) to assess their expenditure pattern for epilepsy treatment and its rural urban difference. Materials and Methods. 315 PWE selected by systematic random sampling and their caregivers were interviewed with the predesigned, pretested semistructured proforma. Subsequently data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results and Conclusion. Majority of the study population were in the age group of 16–30 years. Majority belonged to classes IV and V of Prasad socioeconomic status scale. Average total expenditure per month for treatment of epilepsy was 219 INR, mainly contributed by drugs, travel, investigations, and so forth. Rural population was having higher treatment expenditure for epilepsy specially for travel and food and lodging in order to get epilepsy treatment. Wage loss in the last three months was present in 42.86% study subjects which was both affected by seizure episodes and travel for visits. Better district care would have helped in this situation.

COVID-19 containment and its unrestrained impact on epilepsy management in resource-limited areas of Pakistan

“…In the current study, trend of medicine discontinuation was observed due to nonaffordability despite the fact that discontinuation of AEDs without prior consultation with the neurologist can result in serious medical consequences [ 23 ]. Rural populations face innumerable constraints including weaker financial status and having out-of-pocket expenses in epilepsy treatment [ 24 ]. The lower socioeconomic status (SES) of the patients makes them susceptible to medication nonadherence, but it can be inflamed especially during the current pandemic because of losing jobs and wages associated with a disruption in the source, which makes the provision of drugs accessible as noticed in the present study [ 25 ].…”

Epilepsy in India II: Impact, burden, and need for a multisectoral public health response

“…[ 44 ] Recently, Sinha and Bhaumik have estimated average direct treatment cost per month due to drugs, travel, and investigations as 219 INR (US$3.64). [ 52 ]…”

The Understanding of Epilepsy and Epileptic Patients and General Public to Create A Supportive Community

“…Because of epilepsy, patients lose their jobs and education along with their status in the society. Sinha & Bhaumik (2014) describe 'the children with epilepsy frequently lag in education because they find it difficult to get work. Employers wouldn't want to employ an epileptic '.…”