The distribution of the cost of multiple sclerosis in the UK: how do costs vary by illness severity?
OBJECTIVE
To derive robust estimates for the cost of multiple sclerosis (MS) based on a variety of cost factors across a number of different cost perspectives. This is essential to perform credible pharmacoeconomic evaluations of alternative MS therapies.


METHODS
Here we present a detailed analysis of previously published MS cost data for the UK to which we fit a seemingly unrelated regression. This allows us to assess the size and significance of different cost factors, and account for the covariance between cost perspectives.


RESULTS
We show that disability severity, disease type, relapse status, treatment type and time of treatment, sex, age, educational status, and time since diagnosis, are significant cost factors, with the significance of each dependent on the cost perspective chosen.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis provides a statistical model that may be used to better estimate individual patient costs across a range of demographic and cost perspectives, for use by health planners and in pharmacoeconomic evaluations.
Tyas
David
D
Heron Evidence Development Ltd, Letchworth Garden City, UK.
Kerrigan
John
J
Russell
Nicola
N
Nixon
Richard
R
D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000473:pathology*; D011177:Postal Service; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D006113:United Kingdom