Work Loss, Healthcare Utilization, and Costs among US Employees with Chronic Pain

摘要

Background: Chronic pain in the workplace significantly affects individuals who experience a variety of conditions resulting in increased financial burden to their employers. The objective of this study was to determine the economic impact of chronic non-cancer pain by measuring the number and cost of days missed from work and the amount paid for healthcare related to chronic pain.Methods: Retrospective analysis of a sample of employees from the MEDSTAT Health and Productivity Management database, using absence data and short-term disability claims, as well as inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy claims. Participants were employees from six large US corporations during 1997-1999 with full-time work status and claims totaling at least 90 days' supply of opioid medication and a medical visit with a diagnosis for a painful condition during the study period. Work loss was estimated by using location-specific wage rates to estimate the value of time missed from work in dollars (