ECONOMIC-IMPACT OF UROLITHIASIS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Purpose: We determined the economic costs to individuals in 1993 for t he evaluation and treatment of upper urinary tract calculi. Materials and Methods: Hospital discharge statistics, prevalence data for urolit hiasis and the relative frequency of surgical treatments from Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services claims data were assessed. Results: The total charges for evaluation, hospitalization and treatment were estimated to be $1.23 billion per year. Professiona l charges for those who were hospitalized were estimated to be $183 mi llion. Outpatient evaluation of urolithiasis was expected to cost $278 million. Indirect costs for lost wages were estimated to be $139 mill ion. Conclusions: The total annual cost for urolithiasis in the United States is estimated to be $1.83 billion.