Economic Burden of Acute Pain Treatment: Recent Estimates from USA and Europe

Recent Cost Estimates

The most recent data from 2022 shows that for Chinese cancer patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP), the total cost per patient was 2941.60 euros per month. This cost breaks down as: - 88% direct medical costs - 5% non-medical direct costs - 7% indirect costs due to lost productivity

A 2014 study examining neuropathic pain in US adults found that after adjusting for demographic and clinical variables, total mean annualized costs per subject were: - Direct medical costs to payers: US$6,016 (95% CI 5,316-6,716) - Direct costs to subjects: US$2,219 (95% CI 1,919-2,519) - Indirect costs: US$19,000 (95% CI 17,197-20,802)

This study also determined that indirect costs were the primary cost driver at all pain severity levels, with significant differences across pain severity levels.

Cancer-Related Pain Costs

A 2003 study of cancer-related pain found that 76% of patients experienced at least one pain-related cost, resulting in an average monthly direct cost of US$891 per patient.

In the same study, 69% of patients experienced direct medical costs due to pain, averaging US$825/month per patient, while 57% reported indirect pain-related expenses averaging US$61/month per patient.

Higher pain intensity, greater pain interference, and presence of breakthrough pain were identified as predictors of higher direct and indirect medical expenses.

Treatment-Specific Cost Analyses

A 2002 study comparing intrathecal drug therapy (IDT) with conventional pain therapy (CPT) for chronic low back pain found that the cumulative costs for IDT during a 5-year period were $29,410, compared to $38,000 for CPT. The high initial costs of equipment required for IDT were recovered by 28 months, after which CPT became the more expensive treatment option.

From a 2022 study on methadone for refractory cancer pain, the median daily cost of analgesic regimens was $19.5 (IQR: 12.3-46.2) before switching to methadone and $10.8 (IQR: 7.1-18.7) after switching.

A 2024 study on intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS) for cancer pain reported that double-catheter IDDS had higher cumulative hospitalization expenses, IDDS opioid costs per month, and refill costs compared to single-catheter IDDS. However, monthly oral opioid costs and total costs of analgesic were significantly lower with double-catheter IDDS. Despite higher initial costs, double-catheter IDDS demonstrated superior long-term pain control, reduced incidence of breakthrough pain, and lower overall monthly analgesic costs.

Recent Intervention Studies

A 2023 Australian study of an intensive pain management program showed improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare services' cost, and reduced number of medications taken 1 month after participation.

A 2022 study on Guanxin Shutong Capsules (GSC) for coronary heart disease angina pectoris found that it was more economical for patients to use GSC combined with conventional treatment than conventional treatment alone, based on the assumption that the per capita disposable income in 2020 is the willingness-to-pay threshold.

Economic Burden by Pain Severity

The economic burden of pain, particularly indirect costs, was highest among those with severe pain and higher than previously reported in studies of specific neuropathic pain conditions.

A 2016 study on noncancer pain in outpatient settings showed that pain had a significant negative impact on physical and mental health-related quality of life, which correlates with increased economic burden.