A tool for communication with decision-makers: limitations and utilization of studies on cost of illness

Studies on burden of disease and cost of illness investigate life loss and economic loss caused by a disease. 1 They determine the degree of economic loss following a disease, to establish governmental policies and to identify research topics in a new area. Comparison the studies among the cost of illness, burden of disease, and economic evaluation clarifies their characteristics. They use similar terms and methodologies. Studies of cost of illness should be differentiated from those of burden of disease. While burden of disease is presented with disability adjusted life year (DALY) and quality adjusted life year (QALY), cost of illness is expressed with financial terms. In short, studies on cost of illness measure the degree of diseases or risk factors in terms of economic burden. 2-5 They show the problems with a currency unit, provide a basis for plans and policies for its prevention and control, justify intervention programs, and promote the allocation of resources and research funds in its area. Economic evaluation is the extension of cost of illness. It contains both parts of costs and outcomes. However, cost of illness and burden of disease only focus on the costs. To conduct studies on cost of disease; 1) The definition of the disease should be clear and its complications also should be included. It is important because the scope of diseases influence on the costs incurred. 2) Epidemiological characteristics of the diseases should be exact and updated. The more prevalent diseases may cause the more burden on the society. 3) Social point of view is recommended usually and 4) The data for the use of resources and their unit cost should be collected and calculated to evaluate the use of resources monetarily. Because studies on cost of disease aim to estimate its burden, the data for cost should be accurate. Some published articles could be useful for the cost of liver diseases. Many epidemiological results may be use to estimate the prevalence of acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis and liver cancer. 6-12 In a study estimated socioeconomic costs of five death causes as diseases, in which included liver disease, the cost of cancer recorded the highest cost burden 7735.8 billion won and liver disease followed and recorded 2620.1 billion won. 13 A cost-effectiveness study of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients could be nice source for cost of liver disease, that included the costs of chronic hepatitis, hepatic …