Direct medical costs of serious gastrointestinal ulcers attributable to non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the Netherlands

Purpose: The occurrence and prevention of gastrointestinal ulcers attributable to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has become a major health care issue. Analysis of cost effectiveness of preventive strategies has been hampered by a lack of recent cost of illness studies. The aim of this study was to determine direct medical costs of serious gastrointestinal ulcers attributable to NSAIDs from the societal perspective. Methods: From November 2001 until December 2003 all consecutive patients who were hospitalized due to gastropathy attributable to NSAIDs (serious event) w... Mehr ...