Costs and quality of life in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional observational study in the UK

Arbeitspapier

We performed a cross-sectional, bottom-up observational study of resource consumption and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United Kingdom. Three centers participated in the study. Patients received a questionnaire either by mail or during a clinic visit, and a total of 619 patients returned the questionnaire (the answer rate being around 70%). Patients provided information on all resource consumption, medical and non-medical, work absence and informal care related to their MS. Disease scores (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS) were available for a majority of patients from the study centers, and were assigned using a matrix of disease (mobility) descriptions and EDSS scores. Mean total cost per patient and year was 16'717 £. When this cost is extrapolated to an estimated patient population in the UK of 80'000, total costs to society are estimated at 1.34 billion £. Direct costs represented 28%, informal care accounted for 26% and indirect costs amounted to 46%. Of the direct costs, an estimated £ per patient or % of total costs are paid for by the NHS. Intangible costs were estimated at 5000 £ per patient and year. The mean age of the cohort was 44 years (disease onset 34), the mean utility measured with EQ-5D was 0.487 (0.919 to -0.594), and the mean EDSS score 5.1 (1.0 to 9.5). All costs (direct, informal care, indirect) increased with increasing EDSS scores, while utilities decreased.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: SSE/EFI Working Paper Series in Economics and Finance ; No. 398

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Publicly Provided Private Goods ; National Government Expenditures and Health ; Social Security and Public Pensions ; Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
• Subject: multiple sclerosis ; cost-of-illness ; quality of life ; EDSS ; utility ; Krankheit ; Kosten ; Lebensqualität ; Statistischer Test ; Deutschland

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Kobelt, Gisela ; Lindgren, Peter ; Parkin, David ; Francis, David A. ; Johnson, Michael ; Bates, David ; Jönsson, Bengt
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Stockholm School of Economics, The Economic Research Institute (EFI)
• (where): Stockholm
• (when): 2000

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/56229
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET