Walker B F, Muller R, Grant W D
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Asia Pac J Public Health. 2003;15(2):79-87. doi: 10.1177/101053950301500202.
This paper reports the results of a "cost-of-illness" study of low back pain (LBP) in Australian adults. It estimates the direct cost of LBP in 2001 to be AU dollars 1.02 billion. Approximately 71% of this amount is for treatment by chiropractors, general practitioners, massage therapists, physiotherapists and acupuncturists. However, the direct costs are minor compared to the indirect costs of AU dollars 8.15 billion giving a total cost of AU dollars 9.17 billion. LBP in Australian adults represents a massive health problem with a significant economic burden. This burden is so great that it has compelling and urgent ramifications for health policy, planning and research. This study identifies that research should concentrate on both direct but particularly the indirect costs including cost-effective management regimes that encourage an early return to duties.
本文报告了一项针对澳大利亚成年人腰痛（LBP）的“疾病成本”研究结果。据估计，2001年腰痛的直接成本为10.2亿澳元。其中约71%用于支付整脊治疗师、全科医生、按摩治疗师、物理治疗师和针灸师的治疗费用。然而，与81.5亿澳元的间接成本相比，直接成本微不足道，总成本达91.7亿澳元。澳大利亚成年人的腰痛是一个严重的健康问题，带来了巨大的经济负担。这一负担极为沉重，对卫生政策、规划和研究产生了迫切且具有说服力的影响。本研究指出，研究应聚焦于直接成本，但尤其要关注间接成本，包括能鼓励早日恢复工作的成本效益管理方案。
