New Zealand-first study reveals endometriosis and pelvic pain costs economy up to $31.7 billion annually

New Zealand-first study reveals endometriosis and pelvic pain costs economy up to $31.7 billion annually

A landmark study has provided the first nationwide estimate of the economic burden of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in New Zealand.

The study has revealed the total economic burden of these conditions ranges from $22.6 billion to $31.7 billion NZD annually, with lifetime costs of $3.5 million NZD per person with endometriosis and $2.74 million NZD per person with CPP.

The research, conducted by a team including the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University and the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), and published in the journal Women, used a modified World Endometriosis Research Foundation (WERF) EndoCost protocol to quantify direct healthcare costs, productivity losses, and carer burden across 800 New Zealand participants.

The costs associated with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain rivals the cost burden of other major chronic diseases such as diabetes, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, however funding for research and treatment lags significantly behind.

Chronic pelvic pain, characterised by pelvic pain occurring on most or all days for more than six months, affects up to a quarter of reproductive-aged women in New Zealand.

Endometriosis, a chronic condition characterised by endometrial-like tissue found outside the uterus, is estimated to affect 10 to 14 per cent of reproductive-aged women.

Due to the long delays that often occur with endometriosis diagnosis – historically taking more than eight years in New Zealand – many cases of chronic pelvic pain are likely to be undiagnosed endometriosis.

For the first time, this study uses a model that takes this into account when calculating the economic impacts on both those with endometriosis and society more generally.

Productivity losses were the most significant factor, accounting for 65 per cent of the total burden for endometriosis and 75 per cent for chronic pelvic pain.

This is likely mostly due to combination of the significant pain and fatigue that is common in these conditions and exacerbated by a lack of workplace support and flexibility.

The study found that more than 10 million hours of productivity are lost annually at higher prevalence estimates, equivalent to several thousand full-time workers effectively removed from the labour market.

"The predominance of productivity loss reflects the chronic and often invisible nature of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, accentuating the need for policy responses that go beyond acute sick leave models," said NICM’s Associate Professor Mike Armour, senior author on the paper.

Mark Gannott, Adjunct Fellow at NICM and one of the two health economists involved in the study, said: “Diagnostic delays and health system inefficiencies such as poor healthcare access and suboptimal symptom management are likely to be the most significant contributors to the overall cost, however the positive news is that these can be improved with the right funding and support.”

The research team is calling for endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain to be prioritised as national health policy concerns.

“This analysis provides a strong fiscal case for investment in early access to medical assessment, especially new techniques and technologies to reduce diagnostic time and improvements in access to expert endometriosis care,” Associate Professor Armour said.

- ENDS -

For interviews or further, please contact:

Stephanie Bedo

s.bedo@westernsydney.edu.au

0427 613 263