Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 939-945 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | European Journal of Health Economics |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 21 Nov 2012 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2013 |
Abstract
Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioural disorders among children and adolescents. The number of patients as well as prescriptions to treat this disease has continuously increased over the past few years. The aim of the present study was to analyse the costs for treating ADHD patients from the perspective of a major German health insurance fund. Methodology: Anonymised administrative claims data were available for the study. All services reimbursed by the health fund for the selected ADHD patients were recorded. Apart from the resource use attributed directly to ADHD, co-morbidities as well as incremental costs were described based on a control group design. Results: A total of 30,264 ADHD patients were diagnosed in 2008. The total costs for these patients were €3,888, and the incremental costs were €2,902. The largest proportions of incremental costs were due to therapeutic devices and remedies like occupational therapy amounting to €1,270. Proportionate costs of €263 have been settled for pharmacotherapy with Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine. However, 41 % of the patients were not treated with ADHD-related pharmaceuticals. Conclusions: ADHD costs are relevant from health insurance perspective. The expenses for occupational therapy constitute the cost driver. Compared to the findings of studies from the United States and contrarily to the backdrop of public discussions about considerably increased prescriptions of ADHD-specific drugs, the significantly higher additional expenses for occupational therapy services are impressing. This kind of therapy is internationally rather unknown and is therefore not acknowledged as a therapeutic standard.
Keywords
- ADHD, Claims data, Costs, Germany, Social health insurance fund
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance(all)
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
- Medicine(all)
- Health Policy
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: European Journal of Health Economics, Vol. 14, No. 6, 12.2013, p. 939-945.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment costs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Germany
AU - Braun, Sebastian
AU - Zeidler, Jan
AU - Linder, Roland
AU - Engel, Susanne
AU - Verheyen, Frank
AU - Greiner, Wolfgang
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioural disorders among children and adolescents. The number of patients as well as prescriptions to treat this disease has continuously increased over the past few years. The aim of the present study was to analyse the costs for treating ADHD patients from the perspective of a major German health insurance fund. Methodology: Anonymised administrative claims data were available for the study. All services reimbursed by the health fund for the selected ADHD patients were recorded. Apart from the resource use attributed directly to ADHD, co-morbidities as well as incremental costs were described based on a control group design. Results: A total of 30,264 ADHD patients were diagnosed in 2008. The total costs for these patients were €3,888, and the incremental costs were €2,902. The largest proportions of incremental costs were due to therapeutic devices and remedies like occupational therapy amounting to €1,270. Proportionate costs of €263 have been settled for pharmacotherapy with Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine. However, 41 % of the patients were not treated with ADHD-related pharmaceuticals. Conclusions: ADHD costs are relevant from health insurance perspective. The expenses for occupational therapy constitute the cost driver. Compared to the findings of studies from the United States and contrarily to the backdrop of public discussions about considerably increased prescriptions of ADHD-specific drugs, the significantly higher additional expenses for occupational therapy services are impressing. This kind of therapy is internationally rather unknown and is therefore not acknowledged as a therapeutic standard.
AB - Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioural disorders among children and adolescents. The number of patients as well as prescriptions to treat this disease has continuously increased over the past few years. The aim of the present study was to analyse the costs for treating ADHD patients from the perspective of a major German health insurance fund. Methodology: Anonymised administrative claims data were available for the study. All services reimbursed by the health fund for the selected ADHD patients were recorded. Apart from the resource use attributed directly to ADHD, co-morbidities as well as incremental costs were described based on a control group design. Results: A total of 30,264 ADHD patients were diagnosed in 2008. The total costs for these patients were €3,888, and the incremental costs were €2,902. The largest proportions of incremental costs were due to therapeutic devices and remedies like occupational therapy amounting to €1,270. Proportionate costs of €263 have been settled for pharmacotherapy with Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine. However, 41 % of the patients were not treated with ADHD-related pharmaceuticals. Conclusions: ADHD costs are relevant from health insurance perspective. The expenses for occupational therapy constitute the cost driver. Compared to the findings of studies from the United States and contrarily to the backdrop of public discussions about considerably increased prescriptions of ADHD-specific drugs, the significantly higher additional expenses for occupational therapy services are impressing. This kind of therapy is internationally rather unknown and is therefore not acknowledged as a therapeutic standard.
KW - ADHD
KW - Claims data
KW - Costs
KW - Germany
KW - Social health insurance fund
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84888434695&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10198-012-0440-5
DO - 10.1007/s10198-012-0440-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 23179162
AN - SCOPUS:84888434695
VL - 14
SP - 939
EP - 945
JO - European Journal of Health Economics
JF - European Journal of Health Economics
SN - 1618-7598
IS - 6
ER -