The lifetime cost of spinal cord injury in Ontario, Canada: A population-based study from the perspective of the public health care payer

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2019 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1486622 · Published: March 1, 2019

Simple Explanation

This study examines the lifetime costs of spinal cord injury (SCI) from the perspective of the Ontario public healthcare system. Researchers identified individuals hospitalized for their first SCI between 2005 and 2011 and calculated their healthcare costs using administrative data. Lifetime costs were estimated using phase-based costing methods, comparing costs between a SCI cohort and a matched non-SCI cohort to determine the net costs attributable to SCI. The study found that the net lifetime cost of SCI was $336,000 per person, with much of the costs occurring in the first year post-SCI and costs were also higher for individuals with cervical or thoracic injury or requiring inpatient rehabilitation.

Study Duration

2005 to 2012

Participants

1,716 individuals with SCI matched to a non-SCI cohort

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The net lifetime cost of SCI was $336,000 per person.
2
Much of the costs were observed in the first year post-SCI.
3
The lifetime cost of SCI for individuals with a concurrent pressure ulcer at the initial hospitalization rises to $479,600.

Research Summary

This study estimated the lifetime cost of spinal cord injury (SCI) in Ontario from the perspective of the public healthcare payer. It used administrative health data to track healthcare costs of individuals hospitalized for SCI between 2005 and 2011, comparing them to a matched non-SCI cohort. The study found the net lifetime cost of SCI to be $336,000 per person, with a significant portion of costs concentrated in the first year after injury. Costs were higher for individuals with pressure ulcers, cervical or thoracic injuries, or those requiring inpatient rehabilitation. The authors conclude that SCI represents a substantial burden on the healthcare system and call for further analysis from a broader perspective to fully understand the economic impact.

Practical Implications

Healthcare Resource Allocation

The study highlights the need for efficient allocation of healthcare resources, particularly in the first year post-SCI, to manage the high initial costs effectively.

Targeted Interventions

Targeted interventions and preventative measures are needed to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers and other complications that significantly increase the lifetime cost of SCI.

Fall Prevention Programs

Given the increasing proportion of SCI cases among older adults due to falls, enhanced investment in fall prevention programs could alleviate the financial burden of SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to direct health care costs from the publicly funded health care payer perspective.
2
Some health care resources were not captured in the administrative databases, such as attendant care and outpatient rehabilitation.
3
The costs captured represent early SCI patients (6 years post-injury) and long-term cost projections may not accurately reflect individuals having lived with SCI for more than 6 years.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury