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KMID : 1022820150060010009
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Journal of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology
2015 Volume.6 No. 1 p.9 ~ p.13
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Healthcare Costs of Multiple Sclerosis in Korea According to the Level of Disability
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Hyun Hye-Sook
Joung Ae-Ran
Kim Su-Hyun
Kim Ho-Jin
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Abstract
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Background: To estimate the healthcare costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Korea according to the level of disability.
Methods: Data on direct medical resource consumption including admissions, clinic visits to physicians, examinations, and medications were collected directly from patients by structured interviews. The study randomly enrolled 47 patients from the MS clinic at National Cancer Center. They were categorized into three groups according to the level of disability as measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): mild (EDSS ≤ 3.5, n = 21), moderate (EDSS 4-6, n = 14), and severe (EDSS ≥ 6.5, n = 12) disability. Mean annual direct medical costs per patient were estimated and compared among the three groups. Among indirect costs, the employment rate was evaluated only in those younger than 60 years.
Results: The male:female ratio was 13:34 and the mean age was 40.6 ± 10.7 (range 22-62) years. The mean disease duration was 7.5 ± 3.8 (range 1-16) years; the mean interval from onset of the disease to confirmed diagnosis of MS was 26.4 ± 35.4 (range 1-132) months; and the median EDSS was 4 (range 0-9). The estimated mean total annual cost per person was 32 ± 47 (range 2-301) million won. The estimated mean annual costs per person with mild, moderate, and severe disability were 15 ± 11, 39 ± 25, and 56 ± 83 million won, respectively. The employment rates of subjects younger than 60 years were 62%, 8%, and 8% for mild, moderate, and severe disability, respectively.
Conclusions: MS has a high economic burden in Korea, even without considering the indirect costs. Given that costs increase with the level of disability, diagnostic and therapeutic efforts should focus on making an early diagnosis and delaying the progression of the disease to reduce the economic burden of MS.
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KEYWORD
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Multiple sclerosis, Cost, Disability
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