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

Abstract

Background: To assess the value of management strategies in multiple sclerosis (MS), outcome data have to be combined with cost data. This requires that cost data be regularly updated.

Objective and methods: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting current data on resource consumption, work capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Descriptive analyses are presented by level of severity; costs are estimated in the societal perspective, in 2015 SEK.

Results: A total of 1864 patients (mean age 56 years) participated in Sweden; 74% were below retirement age, and of these, 55% were employed. MS was reported to affect productivity at work in 78% of patients. Overall, 94% and 72% of patients felt that fatigue and cognition were a problem, respectively. The mean utility and costs were 0.757 and 244,000SEK at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-3, 0.563 and 384,000SEK at EDSS 4-6.5 and 0.202 and 888,000SEK at EDSS 7-9, respectively. The average cost of a relapse was 36,900SEK.

Conclusion: This study illustrates the burden of MS on Swedish patients and provides current data that are important for the development of health policies.

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