Pharmacoeconomics: Open Access

Health and Economic Impact of Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis in Greece: The Storms Study

Abstract

Yfantopoulos J, Grigoriadis N, Iliopoulos I, Karageorgiou K, Chantzaras A, Kyritsis AP, Papathanasopoulos P, Tsimourtou V, Treska X, Tzortzis D, Kostadima V, Dimisianos N, Ralli S, Chatzikou M, G. Rombopoulos, Vlachos G, Vikelis M

Background: Little information on costs and quality of life (QoL) of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been published for Greece so far.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the socio-economic burden that MS imposes to Greek patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Information on demographics, disease history, resource consumption and productivity losses was collected from 200 patients recruited in six MS centres throughout Greece. Annual costs were estimated in 2011 unit costs. Health-related QoL (HRQoL) was measured with the EQ-5D questionnaire. Using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), patients were stratified into those with mild (EDSS 0-3), moderate (EDSS 3.5-6.0) and severe (EDSS 6.5-7.5) disability. The perspective of the analysis was that of the national security fund (EOPYY).

Results: The mean annual cost per patient was estimated at €26,118. Higher disability increased costs substantially; €20,702 for mild, €32,126 for moderate and €45.442 for high severity patients. HRQoL was considerably impaired by disease progression. Patients with Secondary Progressive (SPMS) as expected had higher costs and lower HRQoL than Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) subjects, attributed to higher mean disability.

Conclusion: In accordance with other studies, MS imposes a considerable health and economic burden in Greece, which increases significantly with advancing disability.