%0 Journal Article
%T [Annual costs of bipolar disorders in Germany]
%J Nervenarzt
%D 2004
%A Runge, C.
%A Grunze, H.
%V 75
%N 9
%P 896-903
%X With costs of approximately 5.8 billion EUR annually, bipolar disorders represent a substantial burden on German society. The costs are mainly due to high indirect costs caused by morbidity-related unemployment, suicide-related losses of productivity, time off from work, and early retirement. Inpatient care, with a considerable average length of stay for patients with bipolar disorders, accounts for two-thirds of direct costs. This paper refers to statistics on use of healthcare services based primarily on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Representing a relatively narrow definition of bipolar disorders in comparison with the clinically relevant spectrum, this classification leads to a conservative estimate of the total costs. The significant lag between first acute episode and a correct diagnosis causes a delayed onset of maintenance treatment that leads to increased costs. Increasing public awareness, destigmatizing the disease, and educating physicians are necessary steps to limit the substantial economic burden for society.<p /><p>Language: de</p>
%G de
%I Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group
%@ 0028-2804
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00115-004-1691-x