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The Cost of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Dyspepsia and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Sweden

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Abstract

Background and objective: Dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD) involve a substantial cost to Swedish society. There is a lack of up-to-date nationwide cost estimates after 1985. This study was conducted to present a comprehensive and updated cost analysis and study the change over time of the national cost of these disorders.

Design and setting: Primarily, data from National Swedish databases and secondly, data from databases from the County of Uppsala for 1997 were used for the calculations and estimations.

Perspective: Swedish societal perspective.

Results: The total cost to Swedish society of dyspepsia, PUD and GORD in 1997 was $US424 million, or $US63 per adult. Direct costs totalled $US258 million (61%) while indirect costs totalled $US166 million (39%). The highest proportions of costs were due to drugs and sick leave, these being 37 and 34%, respectively.

Conclusions: The cost of dyspepsia and GORD is substantial for patients, health providers and society. Since 1985, drug costs have increased substantially while the cost of sick leave has decreased.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Medical Faculty of Uppsala University, and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family Medicine Stockholm, Karolinska Institute, Alfred Nobels allé 12, S-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden

    Lars Agréus

  2. Institute of Health, Society and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Lars Borgquist

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  1. Lars Agréus
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  2. Lars Borgquist
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Correspondence to Lars Agréus.

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Agréus, L., Borgquist, L. The Cost of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Dyspepsia and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Sweden. Pharmacoeconomics 20, 347–355 (2002). https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-200220050-00006

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