The Economic Costs of Chronic Pain Among a Cohort of Treatment-Seeking Adolescents in the United States

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the economic cost of chronic pain among adolescents receiving interdisciplinary pain treatment. Information was gathered from 149 adolescents (ages 10-17) presenting for evaluation and treatment at interdisciplinary pain clinics in the United States. Parents completed a validated measure of family economic attributes, the Client Service Receipt Inventory, to report on health service use and productivity losses due to their child's chronic pain retrospectively over 12 months. Health care costs were calculated by multiplying reported utilization estimates by unit visit costs from the 2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The estimated mean and median costs per participant were $11,787 and $6,770 respectively. Costs were concentrated in a small group of participants, the top 5 % of those patients incurring the highest costs accounted for 30 % of total costs while the lower 75 % of participants accounted for only 34 % of costs. Total costs to society for adolescents with moderate to severe chronic pain were extrapolated to $19.5 billion annually in the U.S. The cost of childhood chronic pain presents a substantial economic burden to families and society. Future research should focus on predictors of increased health services use and costs in adolescents with chronic pain. Perspective This cost of illness study comprehensively estimates the economic costs of chronic pain in a cohort of treatment-seeking adolescents. The primary driver of costs was direct medical costs followed by productivity losses. Because of its economic impact, policy makers should invest resources in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic pediatric pain.

Perceived Injustice Is Associated With Pain and Functional Outcomes in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Pain: A Preliminary Examination

“…Chronic pain is highly prevalent in children/adolescents and contributes to high healthcare utilization [16,25]. This impact is likewise reflected in emotional and financial costs for caregivers [33].…”

“…This impact is likewise reflected in emotional and financial costs for caregivers [33]. The annual burden is estimated at $19 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity for caregivers of children/adolescents with moderate to severe chronic pain [16].…”

Systematic Review on Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment of Children With Chronic Pain

“…1,4 Children and their families exact high costs on the health care system, estimated to be $19.5 billion annually in the United States. 5 Today, there is consensus regarding the complexity of pediatric chronic pain that results in significant distress and disability, and regarding the interaction among biological, social, and psychological factors accounting for and exacerbating pediatric chronic pain. 6,7 This complex health problem often requires a comprehensive treatment approach that focuses on medical and physiologic aspects and on the child's physical functioning, and emotional impairment.…”

A Review of Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion Therapy for Paediatric Acute and Chronic Pain Management

“…The impact of chronic pain on the family matches the adverse impact experienced by families caring for children at home with severe cerebral palsy or birth defects [242][243][244]. Direct and indirect costs such as loss of earnings, adaptations to housing, over-thecounter medications and care assistance managing a child with chronic pain are considerable [245][246][247][248].…”