Cost of Illness of Hyponatremia in the United States
Author Information
Author(s): Audra Boscoe, Clark Paramore, Joseph Verbalis
Primary Institution: United BioSource Corporation, Bethesda, MD, USA; Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
Hypothesis
The purpose of this analysis was to estimate the annual cost of illness of hyponatremia in the United States.
Conclusion
Treatment of hyponatremia represents a significant healthcare burden in the U.S.
Supporting Evidence
- Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in clinical medicine.
- The direct costs of treating hyponatremia in the U.S. were estimated to range between $1.6 billion and $3.6 billion annually.
- Approximately 1 million hospitalizations per year in the U.S. have a diagnosis of hyponatremia.
Takeaway
Hyponatremia is a condition where there is too much water in the body compared to sodium, and it costs a lot to treat in hospitals.
Methodology
The study utilized a prevalence-based cost of illness framework incorporating data from databases, literature, and expert physician panels.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in prevalence estimates due to the subjective nature of expert panel responses.
Limitations
The analysis did not include indirect costs or costs associated with complications of hyponatremia.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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