Table 4 Comparison of the estimated spending and self-reported spending (£) on GFSF in a typical month by the local area prescription policy and self-reported prescription status

Spending on GFSF

Prescribing areas

Non-prescribing areas

Mean difference (95% CI) in amount spent between prescribing and non-prescribing areas

p value

N

Mean ± SD

N

Mean ± SD

Self-reported spending on GFSF per month

766

75.50 ± 64.56

842

81.42 ± 60.70

5.92 (-0.20 to 12.05)

0.058

Estimated spending on GFSF per month

790

30.81 ± 18.78

876

42.13 ± 23.50

11.32 (9.27 to 13.38)

< 0.001

Mean difference (95% CI) between the self-reported and estimated spending on GFSF in a typical month

44.69 (40.23 to 48.83)

39.29 (35.65 to 43.33)

-

-

p value

< 0.001

 < 0.001

Self-reported prescriptions (full & restricted)

Self-reported no prescriptions

Mean difference (95% CI) in amount spent based on self-reported prescription status

p value

N

Mean ± SD

N

Mean ± SD

Self-reported spending on GFSF per month

507

68.36 ± 56.76

996

83.15 ± 64.25

14.79 (8.17 to 21.40)

< 0.001

Estimated spending on GFSF per month

526

28.99 ± 17.88

1035

40.87 ± 21.85

11.89 (9.73 to 14.05)

< 0.001

Mean difference (95% CI) between the self-reported and estimated spending on GFSF in a typical month

39.37 (35.05 to 44.08)

42.28 (38.68 to 46.18)

-

-

p value

< 0.001

< 0.001