Work loss costs due to peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease in a health maintenance organization

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the value of work time and productivity loss because of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastroesophage al reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: A total of 300 adult members of Northern California Kaiser Permane nte Medical Care Program with outpatient diagnoses of PUD or GERD were rand omly selected for a record review to confirm diagnosis. A telephone survey was conducted soliciting information about work loss because of their disea se. Reported work losses were valued at self-reported hourly wage to derive work loss costs. A total of 117 PUD and 102 GERD patients participated. RESULTS: About 75% of each sample was employed full-time or part-time, in a ll, 42% of potentially working PUD patients and 41% of GERD patients report ed some lost work productivity because of their disease. The average loss ( per person working) was $606 for PUD and $237 for GERD over a 3-month perio d. Reduced productivity while at work and part-time work because of the dis ease were the most costly productivity losses for PUD, whereas time off for physician visits and reduced productivity while at work were the most cost ly losses for GERD. CONCLUSIONS: Work loss costs for patients with PUD and GERD may be nearly a s large as direct medical care casts, and are consistent with the more acut e nature of PUD and the chronic pattern of GERD. The work losses resulting from these diseases are large enough to warrant consideration in guideline development and policy decisions for patients with PUD and GERD. (Am J Gast roenterol 2000; 95:788-792. (C) 2000 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).