The Economic Burden of Liver Cirrhosis in Iran: a Cost of Illness Study

Background: According to importance of cirrhosis of the liver and the lack of information about the economic bur-den of the disease, we performed this study to estimate the economic burden of liver Cirrhosis in Iran in 2011. Methods: The cost-of-illness method, based on the human capital theory, has been used. Both direct and indirect costs have been estimated using a prevalence approach and bottom-up method. The inpatient and outpatient records were investigated for obtaining the medical costs. Also, a questionnaire was used for collection the other data such as transportation costs, out of pocket payment and times of inpatients, etc. Costs consisted of expenditures which hap-pened during March 2011 to February 2012 and the perspective of the study was Iranian society. Results: The total cost of the disease was 2014.5 billion Rials (USD164.32 million). Direct and indirect costs were 1384.16 and 630.4 billion Rials (86.7% and 11.3% of the total cost), respectively. Cost due to premature death was USD 38.66 million, included 23.52% of the total cost and 75% of indirect cost. Conclusion: Liver Cirrhosis impose enormous economic burden on Iranian society. Policymakers should therefore take this into consideration and according to available health resources provide services and facilities for the preven-tion and treatment of the disease.