Cost of Illness of Major Neurocognitive Disorders in India

Major neurocognitive disorders (major NCD) predominantly affect the elderly. Major NCD results in significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden.

To estimate the individual cost of care of a person with major NCD according to disease severity and component costs.

Fifty patients of major NCD with primary caregivers attending memory clinic of tertiary care center were included. A detailed questionnaire administered after inclusion provided demographic and clinical information. Caregivers were interviewed about details of care provided. Cognitive function was assessed by Hindi mental state examination (HMSE), and major NCD severity was determined by clinical dementia rating scale (CDR).

The annual cost of care per patient with mild to moderate and severe major MCD was INR 78288 and INR 167808, respectively. Costs increased with increasing severity of the disease. Direct nonmedical costs were significantly higher than direct medical costs in severe major NCD group and vice versa was found in mild to moderate major NCD group.

Increasing population of elderly and prevalence of major NCD suggest an economic burden on caring families and hence the government. Comprehensive health policy toward providing affordable care to people with major NCD is the need of the hour.