New insights into the burden and costs of multiple sclerosis in Europe

By G. Kobelt, Alan J. Thompson, J. Berg, Mia Gannedahl, J. Eriksson. Multiple Sclerosis, 2017

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Background: The current focus in multiple sclerosis (MS) is on early diagnosis and drug intervention, with a view to modifying disease progression. Consequently, healthcare costs have shifted from inpatient care and rehabilitation to outpatient care. Objectives: This European burden of illness study provides data that can be combined with other evidence to assess whether management approaches provide value to society. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 countries. Patients reported on their disease, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and resource consumption. Descriptive analyses were performed by disease severity. Costs are reported from a societal perspective in 2015€ PPP (adjusted for purchasing power parity). Results: The 16,808 participants had a mean age of 51.5 years, and 52% had relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Work capacity declined from 82% to 8%, and utility declined from normal population values to less than zero with advancing disease. Mean costs were 22,800€ PPP in mild, 37,100€ PPP in moderate and 57,500€ PPP in severe disease; healthcare accounted for 68%, 47% and 26%, respectively. Fatigue and cognitive difficulties were reported by 95% and 71% of participants, respectively; both had a significant independent effect on utility. Conclusion: Costs and utility were highly correlated with disease severity, but resource consumption was heavily influenced by healthcare systems organisation and availability of services.

Subfields: Neurology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Pathology and Forensic Medicine

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/94c3cf44aac7f9b597e0a998a287587d56cd7c12

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In Neurology

  1. G. Giovannoni
  2. Ruth Dobson

In Pathology and Forensic Medicine

  1. G. Giovannoni
  2. Ruth Dobson

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