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Use of medical resources and indirect costs of otitis media in Sweden.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21257647     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Aims: To estimate the use of medical resources and the societal impact of otitis media (OM) in children less than five years of age in Sweden. Methods: An internet survey questionnaire was administered to a sample of parents with children <5 years of age. The survey covered socio-demographic data, characteristics of the OM episode, use of medical resources, productivity loss by the caregivers, and travel-related costs. Medical doctor confirmed OM (MD-OM) was defined as symptoms of earache or "running" ear, and/or a diagnosis of OM provided by a medical doctor. Results: Of all MD-OM episodes (n = 91), in 47% a general practitioner had been consulted, in 21% a paediatrician, and in 23% an emergency department had been visited. Hospital admission occurred in one case. The MD prescribed antibiotics in 85% and over the counter drugs were bought in 69% of the episodes. In 57% of the MD-OM episodes the caregivers lost days from a paid job (mean 30.3 hours per episode, SD 19.6). In 30% of the episodes, parents reported productivity loss at work during their child's illness (mean 9.0 hours per episode, SD 12.4). The mean costs were estimated to be 6,385 SEK (€575) per episode of MD-OM resulting in an economic burden to Sweden of 743,570,000 SEK (€66,920,866). Fifty eight per cent of the costs were indirect non-medical costs. Conclusions : The medical and economic burden of OM is considerable to individual families as well as to society in Sweden. This study has filled a gap in the knowledge base on the impact of OM on society.
Authors:
Anouk M Speets; Judith H Wolleswinkel; Arne Forsgren; Patrik A Sobocki
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-1-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  Scandinavian journal of public health     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1651-1905     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-1-24     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100883503     Medline TA:  Scand J Public Health     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Pallas health research and consultancy BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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