On the Economic Burden of MRSA in Germany

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) usually exhibits resistance not only against beta-lactam antibiotics but also against other classes of antibiotics with the result that infections caused by this bacterium are difficult to treat. Due to additional morbidity and mortality a high economic burden can be expected. Aim: The aim of this study was to outline the cost effects caused by MRSA colonisation and infections and to quantify the annual economic burden in Germany by using published data in order to assess the costs due to MRSA in Germany. Methods: Based on the available literature we estimated tangible and intangible costs per patient associated with MRSA. Total costs were calculated using data of the MRSA-KISS and the Federal Bureau of Statistics as well as other prevalence data. These costs are shown in prices of the year 2011. Results: Direct costs occurring in German hospitals are estimated to be between 354.29 million (sic) and 1.55 billion (sic). Productivity losses due to an extended duration of disease are evaluated to be at least 92.77 million (sic) while lost quality adjusted life years due to MRSA infections are estimated at 0.292* t per infected patient (where t denotes the time of the associated health impairment). Conclusion: It is not possible to quantify the total cost of illness caused by MRSA in Germany due to a lack of data on some of the direct costs (e.g., in rehabilitation facilities) as well as on the indirect and intangible costs. Nevertheless it can be shown that colonisation and infections caused by MRSA impose high costs on the health-care system and the whole economy as well.