Introduction
Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and agoraphobia, represent a significant public health concern globally due to their high prevalence and the substantial burden they place on individuals and healthcare systems. A recent study conducted in Germany presents a comprehensive analysis of the excess costs associated with treating patients diagnosed with panic disorder, with and without agoraphobia, highlighting the economic implications for the German healthcare system. The insights provided by this study are essential not only for policymakers and healthcare providers in Germany but also for experts working to address similar challenges worldwide.
Background
Panic disorder is a common mental health condition characterized by sudden and recurrent panic attacks, intense periods of fear or discomfort, and physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and dizziness. When panic disorder occurs in tandem with agoraphobia—the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available—the complexity of care and the impact on a patient’s quality of life can increase significantly.
DOI of the Study: 10.1186/s12962-019-0177-4
The Study
Conducted between 2012 and 2014, the study titled “The allocation of resources in the care for patients with panic disorder in Germany: an excess cost analysis informing policy and science,” published in the journal Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, aimed to quantify the excess costs associated with panic disorder and the impact of agoraphobia on resource utilization.
Research Methodology
The study utilized primary data from a cluster-randomized trial involving 419 adults suffering from panic disorder, along with data collected from a representative survey of 5,005 adults from the German general population. To address potential biases in the data, the researchers employed multiple imputation using chained equations and entropy balancing to ensure an exact match between the panic disorder cohort and the anxiety-free control group. Costs were evaluated from a societal perspective and calculated using generalized linear models and two-part-models.
Key Findings
The findings revealed total 6-month excess costs of €3220 (95% CI €1917-€4522) for panic disorder patients without agoraphobia and of €3943 (95% CI €2950-€4936) for patients with agoraphobia. This difference demonstrates the additional economic burden when agoraphobia accompanies panic disorder. Notably, indirect costs, which include factors such as absenteeism and loss of productivity, accounted for approximately 60% of the total excess costs.
Implications for Healthcare Policy and Research
This research underscores the significant economic impact of panic disorder and the moderating effect of agoraphobia on healthcare resource allocation. For policymakers, understanding the financial implications enables informed decisions regarding funding allocations, treatment strategies, and preventive measures. It also emphasizes the need for further research to optimize care delivery and minimize the economic burden associated with these disorders.
Keywords
1. Panic Disorder Costs Germany
2. Agoraphobia Healthcare Economics
3. Anxiety Disorders Economic Impact
4. Mental Health Expenditure Analysis
5. Resource Allocation Panic Disorder
References
1. Brettschneider, C., Bleibler, F., Hiller, T. S., Konnopka, A., Breitbart, J., Margraf, J., Gensichen, J., & König, H. -H. (2019). The allocation of resources in the care for patients with panic disorder in Germany: an excess cost analysis informing policy and science. Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation, 17. doi:10.1186/s12962-019-0177-4
2. Jacobi, F., Höfler, M., Siegert, J., Mack, S., Gerschler, A., Scholl, L., … Maske, U. (2014). Twelve-month prevalence, comorbidity and correlates of mental disorders in Germany: the mental health module of the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1-MH). International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 23(3), 304-319. doi:10.1002/mpr.1439
3. Wittchen, H. U., Gloster, A. T., Beesdo-Baum, K., Fava, G. A., & Craske, M. G. (2010). Agoraphobia: a review of the diagnostic classificatory position and criteria. Depression and Anxiety, 27(2), 113-133. doi:10.1002/da.20646
4. Konnopka, A., Leichsenring, F., Leibing, E., & König, H. -H. (2009). Cost-of-illness studies and cost-effectiveness analyses in anxiety disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 114(1-3), 14-31. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.06.014
5. Batelaan, N., Smit, F., de Graaf, R., van Balkom, A., Vollebergh, W., & Beekman, A. (2007). Economic costs of full-blown and subthreshold panic disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 104(1-3), 127-136. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2007.03.015
In conclusion, the study by Brettschneider et al. offers a robust foundation for discussions related to financial planning and resource allocation for patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia in Germany. As anxiety disorders continue to pose challenges worldwide, these findings can serve as a benchmark for international comparisons and guide global efforts in mental health economics.