Table 1. Examples of costs for treating a patient with CDI—estimates from a sample of hospital settings (Country names withheld to preserve anonymity, all costs expressed in Euro equivalents)

Diagnosis

The costs presented relate to the diagnosis and management of CDI as a result of acute CDI. This will differ from adults presenting with polydipsia and polyuria, and can take over six months longer to diagnose

Initial visit including blood tests:

EUR 750–800

Cost of hospitalisation and first diagnosis:

EUR 1500–4500

Including admission in the paediatric endocrine unit for initial evaluation, diagnosis and treatment initiation (four days), and for repeated evaluation every six months during the first three years after diagnosis (two days for clinical, biological and cerebral MRI assessments and treatment optimisation):

EUR 50,000

Cost estimates for paediatric patients including admission into the paediatric endocrine unit for initial evaluation, diagnosis and treatment initiation (three days), and for repeated evaluation every six months during the first three years after diagnosis: EUR 37,600 (costs of DDAVP not included)

One day of testing including water deprivation test:

EUR 2300–2500

In patients who need cerebrospinal fluid analysis and/or pituitary stalk biopsy, additional costs: EUR 2000–3000

MRI:

EUR 400

Supporting patients (based on the imaging work-up) every six months for the first two years of treatment:

EUR 400–1000

Neurosurgery including hospital stay if required:

EUR 10,000–15,000 (approximately EUR 1500 per day)

Idiopathic CDI may have additional costs a long time after diagnosis as a result of complications developing – specific cost data not available.

ICU stay if required:

EUR 10,000 per day

Genetic diagnosis may be needed in rare cases: EUR 500

Long term follow-up

Outpatient visits: EUR 300 for two visits per year

One clinical and biological examination every six months:

EUR 3000 per year (for following seven years post diagnosis)

Approximately EUR 2350 per year.

Data on costs of treatments (therapeutics) is not available

Desmopressin:

EUR 6000 for 10 years

Desmopressin treatment (on average 60 ug x 3/day):

EUR 6500 for 10 years

Data on costs of treatments (therapeutics) is not available

If other hormonal treatment is required, such as growth hormone treatment (with about 1 mg per day), an additional cost of up to EUR 90,000 for 10 years can be incurred

Approximate total for 10 years

EUR 8450–34,200

(more if longer than one day in ICU, and not including medication costs)

EUR 12,100–28,500

Approximately EUR 60,000 (depending on patient complexity)

(if growth hormone treatment if needed, additional costs are incurred)

Approximately EUR 54,000 (depending on patient complexity)