What are the costs of managing neck and low back pain in Brazil? Investigation of a ten-year period from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system

Yara Andrade Marques, Luciana Alves Custódio, Gisela Cristiane Miyamoto, Cristina Maria Nunes Cabral, Aline Martins de Toledo, Rodrigo Luiz Carregaro

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Considering the prospects of increased prevalence and disability due to neck and low back pain, it is relevant to investigate the care processes adopted, to assist future public policies and decision-making for a better allocation of resources. Objective: the aim of this study was to estimate the costs arising from inpatient and outpatient care of individuals with Neck Pain (NP) and Low Back Pain (LBP) in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019.

METHODS: This is a cost-of-illness study from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system, based on health conditions with high prevalence (neck and low back pain). Data were presented descriptively using absolute and relative values.

RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, the health system spent more than $600 million (R$ 2.3 billion) to treat NP and LBP in adults, and LBP accounted for most of the expenses. Female had higher absolute expenses in inpatient care and in the outpatient system.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the costs with NP and LBP in Brazil were considerable. Female patients had higher outpatient costs and male patients had higher hospitalization costs. Healthcare expenses were concentrated for individuals between 34 and 63 years of age.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)943-952
Number of pages10
JournalExpert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research
Volume24
Issue number8
Early online date4 Jun 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • low back pain
  • health economics
  • neck pain

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