The direct and indirect economic burden of hypothyroidism in the United States: a retrospective claims database study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine direct and indirect economic burden associated with hypothyroidism in the United States.

METHODS

Medical costs attributable to hypothyroidism were estimated for patients with hypothyroidism. Non-hypothyroid (euthyroid) controls were matched to patients with hypothyroidism based upon patient characteristics and availability of productivity data. Multivariable analyses examined resource utilization, annual medical costs, comorbidities, and productivity costs.

RESULTS

Estimates of hypothyroidism-related total medical costs ranged from $460 to $2,555 per patient per year. Compared to euthyroid controls, patients with hypothyroidism had significantly higher all-cause medical costs and medical resource utilization. For the subset of patients with available productivity data, hypothyroidism was associated with significantly higher absenteeism and long- and short-term disability costs but significantly lower worker's compensation costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypothyroidism is associated with significant direct and indirect economic burden among employed, commercially insured patients in the US. Despite the availability of relatively inexpensive generic therapies for hypothyroidism, this study found significant direct and indirect costs associated with the condition. The large number of patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism combined with increased costs associated with hypothyroidism result in a significant burden for patients, payers, and employers.