Cost of chickenpox in Canada: Part I. Cost of uncomplicated cases

Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the direct medical costs and productivity losses associated with uncomplicated chickenpox (no hospi talization) in Canada. Methods. A total of 179 otherwise healthy 1- to 9-year-old children with ac tive chickenpox were recruited from schools, day care centers, and physicia n offices in 5 provinces. Direct medical (physician contacts, medication, a nd diagnostic tests) and nonmedical (personal expenses including child care ) resources expended during the illness were determined by caregiver interv iew. Productivity losses attributable to the disease were determined by ass essing caregiver time lost from work and daily activities. Unit costs for a ll resources were obtained from sources in 2 provinces, and per-patient tre atment costs were determined from the patient, Ministry of Health, and soci etal perspectives. Results. From a societal perspective, the per-case cost for children from 1 to 4 years of age and from 5 to 9 years of age was $370.2 and $236.5, resp ectively. Direct medical costs accounted for 10% of the total costs in both groups. The largest cost driver in patient care was caregiver productivity losses, which amounted to $316.5 in the younger age group and to $182.7 in the older age group. Based on an estimated yearly incidence of 344 656 cas es of uncomplicated chickenpox in Canada, the total annual societal burden of the disease can be estimated at $109.2 million, with a cost to the Minis try of Health of $11.2 million. Conclusion. Chickenpox is one of the last common childhood diseases prevale nt in Canada, and the uncomplicated disease, despite its rather benign cour se, imparts a large annual economic burden.