New insights into the burden and costs of multiple sclerosis in Europe: Results for Italy

Introduction: In order to estimate the value of interventions in multiple sclerosis (MS) - where lifetime costs and outcomes cannot be observed - outcome data have to be combined with costs. This requires that cost data be regularly updated. Objectives and methods: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting data on resource consumption and work capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and prevalent symptoms for patients with MS. Descriptive analyses are presented by level of severity, from the societal perspective, in EUR 2015. Results: A total of 1010 patients (mean age = 45 years) participated in Italy. In total, 94% were below retirement age, and of these, 56% were employed. Employment was related to disability, and MS affected productivity at work in 77% of the patients. Overall, 96% and 65% of the patients experienced fatigue and cognitive difficulties as a problem, respectively. Mean utility and total annual costs were 0.735 and Euro22,900 at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 0-3, 0.534 and Euro40,100 at EDSS of 4-6.5, and 0.135 and Euro53,300 at EDSS of 7-9. The mean cost of a relapse was estimated to be Euro2600. Conclusion: This study illustrates the burden of MS on Italian patients and provides current data on MS that are important for the development of health policies.