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Cost analysis of multiple sclerosis in Brazil: a cross-sectional multicenter study
Nilceia Lopes da Silva1, Maira L S Takemoto2, Alfredo Damasceno3
1Novartis Biociências SA, Av. Professor Vicente Rao, 90. 04636-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. nilceia.lopes@novartis.com.
BMC Health Services Research
|March 25, 2016
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts the Brazilian economy, with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) being a major cost. As MS severity increases, healthcare resource costs rise, affecting patients and the healthcare system.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Health Economics
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disease causing significant disability and socioeconomic burden.
- Understanding the economic impact of MS is crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation in Brazil.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the economic impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Brazil from household and healthcare system perspectives.
- To assess the influence of MS-related fatigue on patients' daily lives and health-related quality of life (HRQL).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 210 Brazilian MS patients across eight specialized centers.
- Data collection included demographics, disease severity (EDSS), comorbidities, resource utilization, fatigue, and HRQL.
- Costs were calculated using a prevalence-based approach, estimating annual resource consumption and unit costs.
Main Results:
- The average annual direct cost per patient was USD 19,012.32, with no significant difference based on disability level.
- Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) constituted the majority of direct costs (approx. 90%) for mild to moderate MS.
- Costs for non-DMT medical and non-medical resources increased significantly with higher MS severity.
Conclusions:
- MS imposes a substantial economic burden on Brazilian households and the healthcare system, primarily due to DMTs and disease management costs.
- Increased MS severity correlates with higher expenditures on healthcare resources beyond medications.
- Disability progression negatively impacts patients' HRQL and increases the perceived burden of fatigue.
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