Fontaine stage IV peripheral arterial occlusive disease: The Cost to Society.

Authors: CATALYST Healthcare Communications, Cambridge, UK 1993.

ABSTRACT

The direct healthcare costs of Stage IV PAOD in the UK (ie to society as a whole) were found to be approximately £193.1 million. When costs associated with Social Security payments were included, the total cost per annum rises to approximately £208.8 million. A large proportion of this cost was attributable to reconstructive surgery and amputation and therefore it was concluded that the overall cost of managing Stage IV PAOD in the future will be largely dependant on those factors which affect these specific procedures.

The socio-economic costs of Fontaine Stage IV peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) in the United Kingdom have been estimated based on 1991/92 prices. The study estimated the relative cost imposed by the condition across a range of indices, namely GP consultants, drugs, outpatient referrals, diagnostic procedures, inpatient hospital care, long-term institutional care, transportation and Social Security payments. Information for the study was derived from published statistics, market research amongst consultant surgeons and radiologists who treat PAOD, GPs, hospital accountants, and from the opinion on an expert Peer Review Panel.

Any future product that has the potential to reduce the annual number of reconstructions and/or amputations is likely to significantly reduce the associated total costs of inpatient care. Consequently, such a product would not only provide clinical benefit, but depending on its price and level of efficacy, could also provide considerable economic benefit, allowing valuable resources to be used elsewhere within the Heath Service.