Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39532797›Full record

ArticleNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2025

Reducing healthcare costs by timely diagnosis and management in functional motor disorders.

Michele Tinazzi, Marialuisa Gandolfi, Zoe Menaspà, Angela Sandri, Stefano Landi, Chiara Leardini

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Clinical diagnosis and communication in functional neurological disorders: a survey among Italian neurologists.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2025
    Article
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Michele Tinazzi *Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2370-7063
Marialuisa Gandolfi *Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. marialuisa.gandolfi@univr.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0877-4807
Zoe MenaspàDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Angela SandriDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0462-3945
Stefano Landi *Department of Management, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. stefano.landi@univr.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9835-1877
Chiara Leardini *Department of Management, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1015-6095

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFunctional motor disorders (FMDs) are prevalent and highly disabling conditions among young adults, leading to reduced independence. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the economic burden of FMDs remains largely unknown.

objectiveThis study evaluates the impact of accurate FMDs diagnosis on direct healthcare costs within the Italian National Health System by comparing healthcare utilization and costs before and after diagnosis.

methodsThis before-after study included 40 patients with a definite diagnosis of FMDs. Retrospective data on healthcare utilization, including diagnostic tests, specialist visits, hospitalizations, Emergency Room (ER) visits, and rehabilitation services, were collected from diaries and documents two years before and after diagnosis.

resultsHealthcare direct costs decreased by 67%, from an average of €4,467 [95% CI 3,604-5,329] to €1,461 [95% CI 945-1,976] after diagnosis. Hospitalization costs fell from €2,618 [95% CI 1,899-3,336] to €492 [95% CI 162-821], and ER costs dropped from €403 [95% CI 177-628] to €43 [95% CI 6-78]. Diagnostic procedure costs decreased significantly, from €403 [95% CI 177-628] to €43 [95% CI 6-78]. Specialist visit costs remained unchanged. Rehabilitation costs increased from €371 [95% CI 194-547] to €635 [95% CI 318-915], but this rise was not statistically significant.

conclusionsAccurate diagnosis of FMDs significantly reduces healthcare costs by minimizing unnecessary tests, hospitalizations, and ER visits while emphasizing rehabilitation. This highlights the economic and clinical benefits of improved diagnostic accuracy and specific multidisciplinary intervention. Investing in cost-effective diagnostic tools is crucial for earlier diagnosis and reducing delays.

Indexed as

Health Care CostsMovement DisordersAdultFemaleHospitalizationHumansItalyMaleMiddle AgedPatient Acceptance of Health CareRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultCostDiagnosisEarly interventionHealth care deliveryRehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID39532797

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.