THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF CAMPYLOBACTER-ASSOCIATED GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROME

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease characterized b y acute neuromuscular paralysis. Of an estimated annual number of 2628 -9575 US cases, 526-3830 are triggered by Campylobacter infection. Res earch objectives were to identify the lifetime consequences of GBS and , when possible, to quantify their economic burden. The cost-of-illnes s method was used to calculate annual societal resources spent on medi cal care and lost productivity due to illness or premature death from Campylobacter-associated GBS. Estimated total costs (in US$) of Campyl obacter-associated GBS ($0.2-$1.8 billion) were added to previously es timated costs of campylobacteriosis ($1.3-$6.2 billion) for a total an nual cost from Campylobacter of $1.5-$8.0 billion (1995 dollars). It i s concluded that up to $8.0 billion in US human illness costs are spen t annually because of Campylobacter infection. Economic evaluation of the other costs associated with GBS, such as physical and psychologica l costs, would increase these estimates.