title: How much is the cost of multiple sclerosis--systematic literature review.
abstract: In Poland, a data on MS costs is lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The systematic review of cost of illness studies was conducted to estimate the average annual cost of MS patient and its breakdown.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed database was searched for relevant literature. Following search criteria were used: "multiple sclerosis", "costs", "cost of illness" and "disease burden". Articles written in English including total costs published 2002-2012 were included. In total 17 studies were classified. The costs were re-calculated into USD Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). The available approach from the literature was used for the cost breakdown presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average patient was 47 years old with EDSS equals 4 and 13 years from the date of diagnosis. The average annual cost was 41 133 US$ PPP. The direct costs did not exceed 70% of total costs in any study. The pharmaceutical expenses were one of the most important contributors to the direct costs. Only 40% of patients were active on the labor market what translated into the loss of productivity and consequently an increase in total costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preformed systematic review revealed that multiple sclerosis imposes a huge economic burden on the healthcare system and society. It happens due to productivity loss and caregiver burden.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, University of Warsaw. kkolasa@wum.edu.pl
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolasa
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy