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The main cost drivers in dementia: a systematic review
Sandra Schaller1, Josephine Mauskopf, Christine Kriza
1Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Public Health, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|October 17, 2014
Summary
Dementia care costs are substantial, driven primarily by informal care and nursing home expenses, not direct medical costs. Understanding these drivers is crucial for health policy planning and managing the economic burden on families and healthcare systems.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Gerontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dementia prevalence is rising globally, increasing the demand for healthcare services.
- Limited healthcare expenditures necessitate a clear understanding of dementia's economic burden.
- Identifying key cost drivers across different care settings is essential for effective resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review cost-of-illness (COI) studies on dementia.
- To analyze cost drivers (total, direct, indirect, informal) by care setting, cost perspective, and disease severity.
- To inform health policy and future research on dementia's economic impact.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of COI studies published between 2003 and 2012.
- Searched databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, NHS Economic Evaluations Database.
- Analyzed costs per patient, categorized by care setting and cost type.
Main Results:
- Evaluated 27 studies from 14 healthcare systems.
- Estimated annual dementia costs up to $70,911 per patient (average $30,554).
- Informal care and nursing home costs were the primary drivers, exceeding direct medical costs.
Conclusions:
- Dementia imposes a significant economic burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.
- Cost variations across settings highlight the need for tailored financial strategies.
- Future COI studies should standardize protocols, separating costs by setting and severity for better policy planning.
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