BACKGROUND: To estimate the value of treatments in multiple sclerosis (MS) - where lifetime costs and outcomes cannot be observed - outcome data have to be combined with cost data. This, in turn, requires that cost data be regularly updated. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting current data on resource consumption, 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 2015 Danish Kronor (DKK). RESULTS: A total of 830 patients (mean age of 54 years) participated; 78% were below retirement age and of these, 43% were employed. Employment was related to disease severity, and MS was felt to affect productivity at work by 73% of patients, most often through fatigue. Overall, 95% and 65% of patients felt that fatigue and cognition, respectively, were a problem. Mean utility and costs were 0.770 and 196,900DKK at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-3, 0.619 and 287,300DKK at EDSS 4-6.5, and 0.302 and 533,250DKK at EDSS 7-9. The average cost of a relapse was estimated at 19,000DKK. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the burden of MS on Danish patients and provides current data that are important for the development of health policies.
BACKGROUND: To estimate the value of treatments in multiple sclerosis (MS) - where lifetime costs and outcomes cannot be observed - outcome data have to be combined with cost data. This, in turn, requires that cost data be regularly updated. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting current data on resource consumption, 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 2015 Danish Kronor (DKK). RESULTS: A total of 830 patients (mean age of 54 years) participated; 78% were below retirement age and of these, 43% were employed. Employment was related to disease severity, and MS was felt to affect productivity at work by 73% of patients, most often through fatigue. Overall, 95% and 65% of patients felt that fatigue and cognition, respectively, were a problem. Mean utility and costs were 0.770 and 196,900DKK at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-3, 0.619 and 287,300DKK at EDSS 4-6.5, and 0.302 and 533,250DKK at EDSS 7-9. The average cost of a relapse was estimated at 19,000DKK. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the burden of MS on Danish patients and provides current data that are important for the development of health policies.