Recent estimates hypothesize 2.8 million MS cases worldwide, while in Italy, epidemiology evaluations report over 122,000 patients in 2019 with an annual incidence of 3400 new cases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and neurodegenerative disease, in which the immune system’s abnormal response damages the central nervous system. This study confirmed that MS carries a substantial burden to patients and society, highlighting the need for awareness of this disease. The National Healthcare System (NHS) sustained most of the costs (80%), most notably direct healthcare costs, while patients paid almost all non-healthcare expenses. The overall cost of the disease in Italy was €4.8 billion. Direct healthcare costs were the major component (€21,069), followed by indirect costs (€15,004). Mean annual costs were estimated at €39,307/patient (€29,676, €43,464 and €53,454 in mild, moderate and severe cases, respectively).
The overwhelming burden of fatigue emerged. The study showed a great impact of the disease on daily and work activities increasing with the disability. Mean costs and overall costs were extrapolated from the sample to the Italian MS population considering published distribution of severity. Results were stratified according to both disease severity and payer.
Information on the impact of the disease on daily activities, symptoms, employment, resource utilization and the role of caregivers was collected through questionnaires completed by 944 patients and caregivers. The study estimates MS burden and cost of illness in Italy from a societal perspective in 2019. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease negatively impacting patients’ physical, psychological and social well-being with a significant economic burden.
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