The economic burden of gout on an employed population.

Objective: To examine the economic burden of illness of gout in an employed population, quantifying the impact on employers annual health benefit costs for medical and prescription claims, sick leave, short- and long-term disability, and workers' compensation.

Methods: Adjudicated claims data from 300000 employees from 2001 through 2004 were utilized. T-tests were used to compare demographic data and medical costs and services by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) diagnostic categories. Two-part models were used to determine average annual health benefit costs overall and medical costs by place of delivery. A risk stratification quintile analysis was also performed utilizing gout-specific medical and pharmaceutical costs.

Results: There were 1171 employees with gout identified (total n = 249 038). All demographic variables between the two groups were statistically different (p

Conclusions: Gout inflicts a substantial burden of illness upon employers in terms of medical and prescription costs, as well as other work-related benefits.