title: Cost analysis of therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease of the central nervous system in which dissipated demyelination lesions develop. The currently available pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation for this disease aims to preserve the patients' physical abilities and prevent disease progression and nervous system damage. The study evaluated the direct and indirect costs associated with two different treatment regimens for multiple sclerosis diagnosed patients by comparing two groups of 60 subjects (Group A--patients receiving continuous interferon therapy (Betaferon) and steroids during relapses, and Group B--patients receiving steroid-only (Solu-Medrol, Metypred) treatment). The study was conducted over two years (2004-2005). The pharmacotherapy costs for MS patients were: PLN 4,555,360.68 (1,171,043.88euro) total for Group A and PLN 75,922.68 (19,517.40euro) per patient, and PLN 72,582.00 (18,658.61euro) total for Group B and PLN 1,209.70 (310.98euro) per patient. Total direct and indirect costs for Group A and Group B amounted to PLN 5,595,968.58 (1,438,552.33euro) and PLN 1,655,658.30 (425,619.10euro), respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences in Poznań, Dabrowskiego 79, PL 60-529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Arleta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matschay
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nowakowska
authors.forename: Hanka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hertmanowska
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kus
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Czubak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000191:economics; D011044:Poland; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D008775:Methylprednisolone