Costs of Multiple Sclerosis in Catalonia, Spain
Author Information
Author(s): Virginia Casado, Sergio Martínez-Yélamos, Antonio Martínez-Yélamos, Olga Carmona, Lucia Alonso, Lucia Romero, Esther Moral, Laura Gubieras, Txomin Arbizu
Primary Institution: Institute of Biomedical Investigation, University Hospital of Bellvitge, Faculty of Medicine, Campus Bellvitge, University of Barcelona
Hypothesis
What are the direct and indirect costs of Multiple Sclerosis from a societal perspective?
Conclusion
The total mean social costs of MS in a cohort from Baix Llobregat were estimated at 24272 euros per patient/year, increasing with disability progression.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean total annual cost of MS per patient was 24272 euros.
- Direct costs accounted for around 60% of total costs in all EDSS groups.
- Indirect costs were assessed in terms of the loss of productivity when patients stop working.
- Costs increased as the EDSS stage increased.
Takeaway
This study shows that Multiple Sclerosis costs a lot of money each year, and the costs go up as the disease gets worse.
Methodology
Data from 200 MS patients were analyzed using questionnaires on resource consumption, employment, and economic status.
Potential Biases
There was a higher proportion of patients on immunomodulatory treatment in the sample than in the general MS population.
Limitations
The study had a low response rate to the questionnaire and relied on retrospective data collection.
Participant Demographics
Mean age was 41.6 years, 65.5% were female, and 79.5% had a relapsing-remitting course.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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