Public health relevance of Graves' orbitopathy.

CONTEXT

Disfiguring proptosis and functional impairment in patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO) may lead to impaired earning capacity and to considerable indirect/direct costs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the public health relevance of GO.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This cross-sectional study was performed between 2005 and 2009 at a multidisciplinary university orbital center.

PATIENTS

A total of 310 unselected patients with GO of various degrees of severity and activity participated in the study.

INTERVENTIONS

We conducted an observational study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We measured work disability and sick leave as well as the resulting indirect/direct costs of GO-specific therapies.

RESULTS

Of 215 employed patients, 47 (21.9%) were temporarily work disabled, and 12 (5.6%) were permanently work disabled. Five (2.3%) had lost their jobs, and nine (4.2%) had retired early. The mean duration of sick leave was 22.3 d/yr. Compared with the German average of 11.6 d/yr, 32 (15%) patients had taken longer sick leaves. The duration of sick leave correlated with the disease severity (P = 0.015), and work disability correlated with diplopia (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified diplopia as the principal predictor for work disability (odds ratio, 1.7; P < 0.001). The average costs due to sick leave and work disability ranged between 3,301€ (4,153$) and 6,683€ (8,407$) per patient per year. Direct costs were 388 ± 56€ (488 ± 70$) per patient per year and per year were higher in sight-threatening GO (1,185 ± 2,569€; 1,491 ± 3,232$) than in moderate-to-severe (373 ± 896€; 469 ± 1,127$; P = 0.013) or in mild GO (332 ± 857€; 418 ± 1,078$; P = 0.016). Total indirect costs ranged between 3,318€ (4,174$) (friction cost method) and 6,738€ (8,476$) (human capital approach). Work impairment as well as direct and indirect costs of GO significantly correlated with the scores of the internationally standardized and specific GO quality-of-life questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

Productivity loss and a prolonged therapy for GO incur great indirect and direct costs.