Estimating the Lifetime Informal Care Costs in Stroke: A Model-Based Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Neurology

Background:

• Stroke is a leading cause of chronic disability worldwide.
• Caregivers provide essential support to stroke survivors, impacting healthcare costs.
• The economic burden of informal care in stroke is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the lifetime cost of informal care for stroke survivors.
• To identify factors influencing the duration and cost of informal care.
• To analyze international variations in informal care costs using AVERT trial data.

Main Methods:

• A Markov model was employed for cost and clinical consequence simulation.
• Data from the A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial after stroke (AVERT) and literature were utilized.
• The opportunity cost method was used to calculate informal care costs, with sensitivity analysis performed.

Main Results:

• Lifetime informal care costs varied significantly across five countries: Australia (US$46,588), Malaysia (US$19,095), New Zealand (US$41,186), Singapore (US$72,931), and the UK (US$76,925).
• Costs were presented per life year, highlighting differences in resource utilization and economic impact.
• The study identified key cost drivers and variations in informal care provision.

Conclusions:

• Informal care represents a significant economic burden in stroke management.
• Policymakers and healthcare innovators should consider informal care costs in stroke care planning.
• Further research into factors affecting informal care is needed to optimize stroke survivor outcomes and support systems.