Medical expenditures associated with abdominal and pelvic pain in the United States, 2017-2021

Abdominal and pelvic pain are common symptoms prompting medical care, yet little is known about their associated medical expenditures in the U.S. This study estimated the overall and age-specific incremental medical expenditures associated with abdominal and pelvic pain, and compared if the incremental expenditures differ by sex and presence of comorbid overlapping pain conditions. Using data from the 2017-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey on medical expenditures in the U.S., we estimated the incremental medical expenditures associated with abdominal and pelvic pain (ICD-10 indexed) for children (6-17 years), adults (18-64 years), and older adults (65-85 years), controlling for Andersen Behavioral Model factors. In our sample, 1.2% (1779/135,983) were classified with abdominal or pelvic pain. Adjusted incremental expenditures for abdominal and pelvic pain were $4325 (95% CI: $2670-$5981) per person, totaling $16.0 billion annually. Incremental expenditures were $1465 for children, $3439 for adults, and $9301 for older adults. In children, incremental expenditures were concentrated on office-based, outpatient, and emergency department visits. In adults, incremental expenditures were concentrated on office-based, outpatient, emergency department visits, and inpatient admissions. The estimated incremental medical expenditures were higher in males across all age groups. In individuals with abdominal or pelvic pain, comorbid pain conditions were associated with much higher additional incremental medical expenditures across all age groups ($6790 in children, $5262 in adults, and $6040 in older adults). Abdominal and pelvic pain substantially increased medical expenditures for children and adults, especially for those with comorbid overlapping pain conditions. Perspective: Our nationwide study quantified the economic burden of abdominal and pelvic pain in the U.S., identifying key demographic and clinical cost drivers. Findings highlight the significant lifetime burden, the importance of pain management, the need to reduce costs for patients with overlapping pain, and the necessity of ongoing cost surveillance.