Date of Award

12-2006

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program

Health Science Administration

Research Advisor

Richard J. Faris, PhD

Keywords

Health Services Administration, Parkinson Disease, economics, Parkinson Disease, epidemiology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost of illness of Parkinson’s disease in the United States. Direct medical expenditures, with the exception of nursing home costs, were estimated using data from the 1999-2003 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC). Nursing home costs were estimated using the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey Nursing Home Component (MEPS-NHC). Indirect costs for lost productivity due to missed work or bed-days (morbidity) were estimated using the MEPS-HC and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Indirect costs for lost productivity due to death (mortality) were estimated using the National Vital Statistics System.

Direct and indirect costs of Parkinson’s disease in the United States were estimated at $39,661,102,321 for the five year period of 1999-2003. Direct medical costs totaled $25,686,503,575 and direct non-medical expenditures accounted for $328,048,817. The majority of direct medical costs were found to be associated with nursing home care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and prescription medications for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Indirect costs resulting from lost workdays, bed-days, and mortality totaled $10,870,870,402. The majority of indirect costs was due to bed days ($9,619,603,534), followed by mortality costs ($861,530,870) and lost workdays ($389,735,998).

There were no statistically significant differences in total cost of illness between gender, education, age, marital status, income level and region of residence found in this study for patients with Parkinson’s disease. This study concluded that there are statistically significant differences in direct medical costs for male and female patients v with Parkinson’s disease. This study also concluded that there are statistically significant differences in direct medical costs for patients who live in the South compared to patients in the Northeast. Direct non-medical costs were the least frequently reported cost by patient’s with Parkinson’s disease in this study. Patients who live in the South reported the largest proportion of indirect costs due to morbidity. However, there were no statistically significant differences in selected demographic characteristics and morbidity costs for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

The overall total cost of illness was estimated by this study to be over six billion dollars annually for patients with Parkinson’s disease. While not as costly a disease state as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease is a more costly disease when compared to Multiple Sclerosis, a disease state with a similar prevalence. This cost of illness estimate has provided an initial understanding of the costs associated with Parkinson’s disease. Forthcoming research of the cost of illness of Parkinson’s disease will now have a solid foundation to expand upon.

DOI

10.21007/ptd.cghs.2006.0469

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