Medical costs of chronic musculoskeletal pain in Italy.

Background And Objectives: Musculoskeletal system problems are responsible for more than two-thirds of painful conditions in primary care. However, only one published study, conducted in Finland, has analysed the costs of managing musculoskeletal pain as a whole in primary care. This study analysed the costs of diagnosing and treating chronic musculoskeletal pain in primary care in Italy. A secondary aim of the study was to assess the impact of different drug treatment patterns on medical costs associated with musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: Chronic pain of musculoskeletal origin was defined as continuous or recurrent pain persisting over 3 months with involvement of the musculoskeletal system, i.e. arising from primary musculoskeletal disorders or from the late consequences of external events (injuries, medical care or surgery). A total of 52 general practitioners (GPs) recruited 581 patients. We focussed on the differences between patients treated (410) and not treated (171) with drugs. Within the treated group, we also analysed subgroups given non-selective NSAID-based therapy (subgroup A, 169 patients) or cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor-based therapy (subgroup B, 52 patients).

Results: The annual average cost of treating a patient with chronic musculoskeletal pain was euro 212.60. Hospital admissions and GP consultations were the largest cost components, both accounting for around a quarter of the total cost. Not surprisingly, the treated group included older patients, who had more co-morbidities and more severe pain. This was associated with annual costs more than four times those of untreated patients (euro 274.50 vs euro 63.90, respectively). Subgroups A and B did not differ with respect to major demographic and clinical variables except in relation to mean age (63 vs 70 years, respectively; p=0.037). They had similar per-patient costs (euro 186.20 vs euro 172.90), although these totals comprised a different mix of components.

Conclusion: The analysis showed that the annual average cost of treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain in Italy varied considerably depending on whether drug treatment was used. COX-2 inhibitors and traditional NSAIDs had similar per-patient costs, although this similarity stemmed from a different mix of components.