Health Care Utilization in Functional Neurologic Disorders

Background and Objective The objectives of this study were to investigate health care utilization costs of patients with video-electroencephalography (VEEG)–confirmed functional seizures (FS), determine whether patients who received a satisfactory functional neurologic disorder (FND) diagnosis explanation had reduced health care utilization compared with those with a poor explanation; and to quantify the overall health care costs 2 years prediagnosis and postdiagnosis for those receiving a different explanation.

Methods Patients with VEEG-confirmed pure FS (pFS) or mixed (functional seizure plus epileptic seizures) diagnosis between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2019, were evaluated. Explanation of the diagnosis was determined “unsatisfactory” or “satisfactory” using self-developed criteria, and health care utilization data were collected using an itemized list. The subsequent costs 2 years post-FND diagnosis were compared with those 2 years before, and cost outcomes were compared between both groups.

Results In patients who received a satisfactory explanation (n = 18), total health care costs were reduced from $169,803 to $117,133 USD (−31%). An increase in costs was found ($73,430 to $186,553 USD = +154%) in patients with pPNES after an unsatisfactory explanation (n = 7). On an individual level, 78% with a satisfactory explanation saw a reduction in total health care costs per year (mean $5,111 USD to $1,728 USD), and in 57%, an unsatisfactory explanation led to an increase (mean $4,425 to $20,524 USD). A similar effect was seen from explanation on patients with a dual diagnosis.

Discussion The method of communicating an FND diagnosis has a significant impact on subsequent health care utilization. Those receiving satisfactory explanations demonstrated reduced health care utilization, whereas an unsatisfactory explanation resulted in additional expenses.