Answer:
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has significant financial implications for both individuals and healthcare systems. The direct costs associated with PUD include expenses for hospitalization, physician visits, medications, and surgical interventions, which can range from USD 163 to 866 per patient annually, depending on the treatment approach and country. Indirect costs, such as lost productivity due to absenteeism or disability, further exacerbate the economic burden, highlighting the disease's impact on workforce participation and overall economic productivity.
Recent studies indicate that implementing effective treatment strategies, such as Helicobacter pylori eradication, can lead to substantial cost savings. For instance, a cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that over a lifetime, the eradication strategy could save approximately USD 14.07 billion while preventing numerous ulcer recurrences and associated deaths. Moreover, successful eradication of H. pylori has been linked to average cost savings of about USD 1,770 within the first year post-treatment. These findings underscore the importance of addressing PUD not only for patient health outcomes but also for reducing the overall economic burden on healthcare systems and society at large.