New insights into the burden and costs of multiple sclerosis in Europe: Results for Germany

Abstract

Introduction: To estimate the value of interventions in multiple sclerosis (MS) - where lifetime costs and outcomes cannot be observed - outcome data have to be combined with costs. This requires that cost data be regularly updated.

Objectives and methods: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting data on resource consumption and work capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and prevalent symptoms for patients with MS. Descriptive analyses are presented by level of severity, from the societal perspective, in EUR 2015.

Results: A total of 5475 patients (mean age 52 years) participated in Germany. In all, 84% were below retirement age, and of these, 51% were employed. Employment was related to disease severity, and MS affected productivity at work for 80% of patients. Overall, 96% and 78% of patients experienced fatigue and cognitive difficulties as a problem, respectively. The mean utility and total annual costs were 0.786 and 28,200€ at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-3, 0.586 and €44,000 at EDSS 4-6.5 and 0.273 and €62,700 at EDSS 7-9, respectively. The mean cost of a relapse was estimated at €2500.

Conclusion: This study provides current health economic data on MS in Germany that are important for the development of health policies and for estimating the value of the current and future treatments.

Keywords: Germany; HRQoL; Multiple sclerosis; burden of illness; cognition; costs; fatigue.