Cost-effective management of benign positional vertigo using canalith repositioning

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000 Mar;122(3):334-9. doi: 10.1016/S0194-5998(00)70043-X.

Abstract

Objective: The misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of benign positional vertigo have resulted in significant costs to the medical system. In the current medical-economic climate, there is an increased emphasis on cost control. Recent studies have shown that the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) is effective; the next step is to show the impact of CRP in cost-effective management of benign positional vertigo.

Methods: Forty-six of 100 patients who underwent CRP for benign positional vertigo responded to a survey regarding the financial impact of their disease. They were asked to subjectively estimate the sum of all disease-related expenses. Objective substantiation of this number was estimated by tabulating physician data, laboratory data, and failed treatment costs.

Results: The subjective figure totaled $2684.74 per individual. Summation of the tangible objective figures yielded $2009.63 per patient, corroborating the subjective figure.

Conclusions: Because CRP is a relatively simple procedure that can obviate many wasted expenses in most patients, we believe that it is very cost-effective and should be incorporated into routine practice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cost of Illness*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Managed Care Programs / economics*
  • Meniere Disease / diagnosis
  • Meniere Disease / economics*
  • Meniere Disease / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Otolithic Membrane*
  • Patient Care Team / economics
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Semicircular Canals*
  • Unnecessary Procedures / economics