Contributions
Abstract: P373
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Objective: To measure the economic impact of MS on the individual and on society in Ireland using a nationally representative sample of people with MS. Most EU countries have previously studied the full economic impact of MS; this research aims to provide the Irish experience in directly comparable terms to the wider EU picture.
Methods: A comprehensive questionnaire was designed with careful reference to similar studies from around Europe, and a number of directly comparable instruments were included. As well as direct and indirect economic costs, well-being was measured using EQ-5D to estimate the "intangible cost" aspect. The survey was made available online and in paper form. Recruitment was via the MS Society of Ireland mailing list and social media platforms, as well as in print media. Our costing followed a "prevalence-based" methodology for the year 2015. For estimation of non-market costs we used a human capital approach and values consistent with the literature.
Results: Our final sample (n=595) had characteristics indicating national representativeness on geographic measures, and typical demographic features associated with MS - in terms of age and gender representation. We find that total costs escalate with disease and disability progression from mild (€34,942) through moderate (€57,857) to severe (€100,554). The self-reported relapses component of relapsing-remitting MS disease activity (62.9% of our sample) was estimated to be associated with an incremental annual cost of €7,261 per relapse and €12,588 per year.
At an average cost of €47,683 per annum and an Irish MS population of 9000, the total societal costs of MS amounted to €429m with 30% being accounted for by direct costs, 50% indirect, and 20% intangible or reduced QoL costs.
Conclusions: Non-direct costs associated with MS represented up to 70% of the total societal costs associated with MS. These less salient or hidden costs increase with disease progression and are primarily driven by early and permanent workforce withdrawal. The ubiquity with which MS severity and relapse activity is a predictor of total costs in this studyas in the international literaturehighlights the economic importance of reducing and delaying disease progression.
Disclosure:
C. McGuigan has received research grants from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Bayer, honoraria as a consultant from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Roche.
K. O"Rourke has received honoraria from Novartis.
D. O"Boyle has received a fee from Novartis for data consultancy and writing services.
A. Larkin is an employee of MS Ireland. MS Ireland received a research grant from Novartis Ireland in support of this study.
P. Carney is an employee of Novartis Ireland. Ethical approval for the study was provided by UCD (LS-14-59).
Abstract: P373
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Objective: To measure the economic impact of MS on the individual and on society in Ireland using a nationally representative sample of people with MS. Most EU countries have previously studied the full economic impact of MS; this research aims to provide the Irish experience in directly comparable terms to the wider EU picture.
Methods: A comprehensive questionnaire was designed with careful reference to similar studies from around Europe, and a number of directly comparable instruments were included. As well as direct and indirect economic costs, well-being was measured using EQ-5D to estimate the "intangible cost" aspect. The survey was made available online and in paper form. Recruitment was via the MS Society of Ireland mailing list and social media platforms, as well as in print media. Our costing followed a "prevalence-based" methodology for the year 2015. For estimation of non-market costs we used a human capital approach and values consistent with the literature.
Results: Our final sample (n=595) had characteristics indicating national representativeness on geographic measures, and typical demographic features associated with MS - in terms of age and gender representation. We find that total costs escalate with disease and disability progression from mild (€34,942) through moderate (€57,857) to severe (€100,554). The self-reported relapses component of relapsing-remitting MS disease activity (62.9% of our sample) was estimated to be associated with an incremental annual cost of €7,261 per relapse and €12,588 per year.
At an average cost of €47,683 per annum and an Irish MS population of 9000, the total societal costs of MS amounted to €429m with 30% being accounted for by direct costs, 50% indirect, and 20% intangible or reduced QoL costs.
Conclusions: Non-direct costs associated with MS represented up to 70% of the total societal costs associated with MS. These less salient or hidden costs increase with disease progression and are primarily driven by early and permanent workforce withdrawal. The ubiquity with which MS severity and relapse activity is a predictor of total costs in this studyas in the international literaturehighlights the economic importance of reducing and delaying disease progression.
Disclosure:
C. McGuigan has received research grants from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Bayer, honoraria as a consultant from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Roche.
K. O"Rourke has received honoraria from Novartis.
D. O"Boyle has received a fee from Novartis for data consultancy and writing services.
A. Larkin is an employee of MS Ireland. MS Ireland received a research grant from Novartis Ireland in support of this study.
P. Carney is an employee of Novartis Ireland. Ethical approval for the study was provided by UCD (LS-14-59).