Economic Costs of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Multiple System Atrophy in Europe
Author Information
Author(s): McCrone Paul, Payan Christine Anne Mary, Knapp Martin, Ludolph Albert, Agid Yves, Leigh P. Nigel, Bensimon Gilbert
Primary Institution: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London
Hypothesis
What are the economic costs associated with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) in France, Germany, and the UK?
Conclusion
The study found that the economic costs of PSP and MSA are substantial, with most costs related to unpaid care.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean six-month service costs of PSP were €24,491 in France, €30,643 in Germany, and €25,655 in the UK.
- Unpaid care accounted for 68–76% of the total costs.
- Costs were significantly higher for more severe illness as indicated by the Parkinson's Plus Symptom scale.
Takeaway
This study looked at how much it costs to care for people with certain brain diseases in three countries, and it found that most of the costs come from family and friends helping out.
Methodology
The study measured service use and costs over six months for patients diagnosed with PSP or MSA, using a health service use questionnaire and regression models to identify predictors of costs.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and variations in unit cost calculations across countries.
Limitations
The study relied on patient self-report for service use, which may lead to inaccuracies, and it only examines costs without assessing the quality of care.
Participant Demographics
Patients were aged between 55 and 65, with a mix of genders and educational backgrounds across France, Germany, and the UK.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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