Cost-effective management of benign positional vertigo using canalith repositioning

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of benign positional vertigo have resulted in significant costs to the medical system. In the current medical-economic climate, there is an increased emphasis on cost control. Recent studies have shown that the canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) is effective; the next step is to show the impact of CRP in cost-effective management of benign positional vertigo. METHODS Forty-six of 100 patients who underwent CRP for benign positional vertigo responded to a survey regarding the financial impact of their disease. They were asked to subjectively estimate the sum of all disease-related expenses. Objective substantiation of this number was estimated by tabulating physician data, laboratory data, and failed treatment costs. RESULTS The subjective figure totaled $2684.74 per individual. Summation of the tangible objective figures yielded $2009.63 per patient, corroborating the subjective figure. CONCLUSIONS Because CRP is a relatively simple procedure that can obviate many wasted expenses in most patients, we believe that it is very cost-effective and should be incorporated into routine practice.