The burden of multiple sclerosis 2015: Methods of data collection, assessment and analysis of costs, quality of life and symptoms

Introduction: This article describes the methods used to perform this large European-wide burden-of-illness study on multiple sclerosis (MS) using individual patient data. Methods: The study collected all MS-related resource consumption, workforce participation, prevalent disease symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients were recruited by national patient associations and, after informed consent, completed a specific questionnaire either on-line or on paper. Analyses were performed by country as well as for the study overall. Costs were estimated from the societal perspective, using publicly available unit costs and reported in national currencies and in EUR 2015 adjusted for purchasing power parity. The results are reported by disease severity groups according to self-assessed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (mild, moderate, severe) and by EDSS point to highlight the development of costs as disability progresses. Results: A total of 16,808 patients in 16 countries participated in the study: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Conclusion: This study, endorsed by the European Platform of MS Societies, provides up-to-date information on costs and expands the previously available information on HRQoL and symptoms.