Costs of multiple sclerosis - extrapolation of Czech data to Polish patients.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the direct and indirect costs associated with disability due to multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland.


METHODS
Recently a cost-of-illness study was conducted in the Czech Republic, involving 909 patients with different levels of disability (the COMS study). Data on resource use from this trial was extrapolated to Polish patients and combined with Polish unit costs in 2012. The mean annual costs from societal and payers perspective were calculated for patients according to EDSS.


RESULTS
The estimated mean annual cost per patient with MS from a societal perspective ranges from 6970 EUR to 26,791 EUR. Indirect costs (production loss due to early retirement, sick-leave and informal care) cover up to 70% of total costs.


CONCLUSIONS
With an estimated 40-60,000 patients with MS in Poland, the disease poses a high economic burden. Indirect costs have a substantial share in these costs. A high-quality prospective study on costs is needed.
HTA Consulting, ul. Starowiślna 17/3, 31-038 Kraków, Poland.
Daria
D
Szmurło
Tomasz
T
Fundament
Maciej
M
Ziobro
Klára
K
Kruntorádová
Tomáš
T
Doležal
Cezary
C
Głogowski
D017281:Cost of Illness; D018153:Czech Republic; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000191:economics*; D011044:Poland
cost-of-illness; costs; economic burden; multiple sclerosis