Symptomatic sialoadenitis and sialolithiasis in the English population, an estimate of the cost of hospital treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the annual incidence, and cost of treating, symptomatic salivary stones and sialoadenitis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data relating to sialolithiasis and sialoadenitis were obtained from the Department of Health with respect to the 15 health regions in England during the period 1991-1995. These were analysed to obtain the mean incidence per annum. The proportions of each condition treated on an in-patient and out-patient basis were also calculated. A survey of hospital fees was undertaken to determine the national cost for treating these two conditions.

RESULTS

In the period the mean incidence of hospital admission for symptomatic sialoadenitis and sialolithiasis in the 15 health regions in England was 27.5 (19-46) and 31.5 (26-37) per million population per annum respectively. During this time there was a slight shift toward day case treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on hospital admission data for the period 1991-1995 the mean incidence of symptomatic sialolithiasis is relatively low, being at least 27 per million population per annum and possibly as much as 59 per million population per annum. This represents a cost to the National Health Service of up to 4,000,000 Pounds per annum.