THE COST OF INPATIENT ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATMENT - AN ANALYSIS BASED ON THE HEALTH-CARE-COST-AND-UTILIZATION-PROJECT NATIONWIDE-INPATIENT-SAMPLE

Objective: To determine the prevalence and cost of endometriosis-relat ed hospitalizations based on the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) fro m the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP-3). Study Design: Retrospective analysis based on nationwide clinical practice data. Pat ients and Methods: Data were obtained for 1991 and 1992 from the HCUP- NIS database, which was a 20% sample of all US hospital discharges. IC D-9 codes (236.0, 617.0 to 617.9) were used to identify females, aged 15 to 54, with endometriosis as a diagnosis. The distribution of endom etriosis admissions by admission type, length of stay (LOS), mean tota l charge, specific types of endometriosis, principal procedures, and o ther diagnosed diseases was described. Results: In 1991 and 1992, 37,2 73 (22.6/1000) and 38,834 (23.7/1000) hospital admissions, respectivel y, were for endometriosis (as any diagnosis). The average LOS and tota l hospital charges for endometriosis as the primary diagnosis were 3.8 days and $6,597 for 1991, and 3.5 days and $7,450 for 1992. Most endo metriosis admissions occurred in females aged 35 to 49. About 87% of t he endometriosis hospitalizations were routine admissions. The most co mmon diagnosis was endometriosis of the uterus (51%); the most common procedure was a total abdominal hysterectomy (55%-60%). Older and Afri can-American patients had the longest LOS and the highest total charge s. The estimated total hospitalization costs, as represented by hospit al charges, for women with endometriosis as the primary diagnosis in t he United States were $504 million for 1991 and $579 million for 1992. Conclusion: Endometriosis-related hospitalization is a major burden o n healthcare systems.