title: Multiple sclerosis in Italy: cost-of-illness study.
abstract: This study estimates the direct costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Italy from the perspective of the National Health System. Patients diagnosed with MS for ≥1 year prior to study entry were included in the analysis; neurological disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Cost variables were analyzed according to: MS phenotype, disease course over the previous year and EDSS rating. A total of 510 patients were included in the analysis. Overall costs were significantly higher for relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS than for primary progressive MS (P < 0.05). Costs were higher for EDSS scores 0.0-3.5 and 4.0-6.0 than for scores > 6.0 (P < 0.05). The extrapolated data gave an estimated annual direct cost of MS per patient of <euro>18,030. In conclusion, relapsing-remitting MS or secondary progressive MS phenotypes and lower estimated EDSS scores appear to be associated with higher costs.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre Sicilia Region, First Neurology Clinic, University Hospital Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patti
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trojano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Solaro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pappalardo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zipoli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Portaccio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paolicelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paolillo
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mennini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcellusi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Battaglia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors