Costs of the diagnostic odyssey in children with inherited leukodystrophies.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Our objective was to determine the extent of testing and costs solely related to diagnosis (the diagnostic odyssey) in a cohort of children with inherited leukodystrophies.

Methods

We determined all inpatient and outpatient laboratory testing, including brain MRIs obtained for the purpose of diagnosis, over an 8-year time period in a retrospective population cohort of children with inherited leukodystrophies. Costs were determined from an activity-based cost accounting system and were standardized to 2013 constant US dollars.

Results

Each patient had on average 20 tests (range 2-42 tests), with costs of $4,200 (range $357-$15,611). Diagnostic yield plateaued after 25 tests, and costs increased significantly after 32 tests. Fifty-three percent of patients we

SUBMITTER: Richards J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4603881 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature