Percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome: Cost‐benefit and cost‐minimization analysis

Abstract

AbstractAbdominal pain drives significant cost for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We performed an economic analysis to estimate cost‐savings for patients' families and healthcare insurance, and health outcomes, based on abdominal pain improvement with percutaneous electrical nerve field stimulation (PENFS) with IB‐Stim® (Neuraxis). We constructed a Markov model with a 1‐year time horizon comparing outcomes and costs with PENFS versus usual care without PENFS. Clinical outcomes were derived from a sham‐controlled double‐blind trial of PENFS for adolescents with IBS. Costs/work‐productivity impact for parents were derived from appropriate observational cohorts. PENFS was associated with 18 added healthy days over 1 year of follow‐up, increased annual parental wages of $5,802 due to fewer missed work days to care for the child, and $4744 in cost‐savings to insurance. Percutaneous electrical field nerve stimulation for adolescents with IBS appears to yield significant cost‐savings to patients' families and insurance.