The cost of stroke and transient ischaemic attack in Ireland: a prevalence-based estimate

Methods: a prevalence-based approach using a societal perspective is adopted. Both direct and indirect costs are estimated. Results: total stroke costs are estimated to have been euro489-euro805 million in 2007, comprising euro345-euro557 million in direct costs and euro143-euro248 million in indirect costs. Nursing home care and indirect costs together account for the largest proportion of total stroke costs (74-82%). The total cost of TIA was approximately euro11.1 million in 2007, with acute hospital care accounting for 90% of the total. Conclusions: the chronic phase of the disease accounts for the largest proportion of the total annual economic burden of stroke. This highlights the need to maximise functional outcomes to lessen the longer term economic and personal impacts of stroke.