Objective: To compare costs of function- and pain-centred inpatient treatment in patients with chronic low back pain over 3 years of follow-up.
Design: Cost analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
Patients: A total of 174 patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to function- or pain-centred inpatient treatment.
Methods: Data on direct and indirect costs were gathered by questionnaires sent to patients, health insurance providers, employers, and the Swiss Disability Insurance Company.
Results: There was a non-significant difference in total medical costs after 3 years' follow-up. Total costs were 77,305 Euros in the function-centred inpatient treatment group and 83,085 Euros in the pain-centred inpatient treatment group. Likewise, indirect costs after 3 years from lost work days were non-significantly lower in the function-centred in-patient treatment group (6354 Euros; 95% confidence interval -20,892, 8392) and direct medical costs were non-significantly higher in the function-centred inpatient treatment group (574 Euros; 95% confidence interval -862, 2011).
Conclusion: The total costs of function-centred and pain-centred inpatient treatment were similar over the whole 3-year follow-up.