Costs and consequences of botulinum toxin type A use in the management of children with cerebral palsy in Germany.

Authors: FJ Ruiz, JF Guest, A Lehmann, AM Davie, K Güttler, O Schlüter & G Dreiss.
Source: European Journal of Health Economics 2004; 5: 227 - 235.

ABSTRACT

This study was a retrospective survey of the management of a cohort of cerebral palsy children at Seepark Hospital, Germany who did (cases; n=107) and did not (controls; n=107) receive botulinum toxin injections. Healthcare resource use and clinical outcomes over 12 months were collected from the date cases received their first injection and from the date controls were first admitted into hospital. Botulinum toxin use led to an 85% reduction in the number of children requiring surgery. Additionally, controls used significantly more healthcare resource than cases, particularly hospital bed days (69.2±34.1 versus 27.5±27.9 days; p <0.0001). The total cost of managing cases and controls was €16,700 and €33,800 respectively. In conclusion, use of botulinum toxin released resources for alternative use during the first year following treatment, without any loss of clinical improvement. However, it is unknown how botulinum toxin affected the need for surgery and associated outcomes in subsequent years.