New insights into the burden and costs of multiple sclerosis in Europe: Results for Portugal

Abstract

Background: In order to assess the value of management strategies in multiple sclerosis (MS), outcome data have to be combined with cost data. This, in turn, requires that cost data be regularly updated. Objective and methods: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting current data on resource consumption, work capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Descriptive analyses are presented by level of severity; costs are estimated in the societal perspective, in EUR 2015.Results: A total of 535 patients (mean age 48.5 years) participated; 92% 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 72% of patients, most often through fatigue. Overall, 98% and 74% of patients felt that fatigue and cognition were a problem. Mean utility and costs were 0.756 and €16,500 at the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0-3, 0.572 and €28,700 at EDSS 4-6.5 and 0.206 and €34,400 at EDSS 7-9. The average cost of a relapse was estimated at €2930. Conclusion: This study illustrates the burden of MS on Portuguese patients and provides current data that are important for the development of health policies.

Diagnostic Delay of Multiple Sclerosis in a Portuguese Population

“…Diagnostic delay could reduce the available therapeutic options and the opportunity for early intervention, 3,11 which may result in irreversible sequelae. 4 Moreover, as MS global costs increase with disease severity, 12 an early diagnosis could also mitigate the economic burden of MS. Consequently, monitoring the time to diagnosis and understanding causes for delays is an important feature when managing MS patients.…”

Validation of the brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS) in the Portuguese population with multiple sclerosis

“…Cognitive dysfunction affects 40 to 70% patients [ 2 , 3 ]. Irrespective of age and gender [ 3 , 4 ], may occur at all stages of the disease, even at the very early beginning [ 5 , 6 ] and definitely impacts the lives of MS patients and their families [ 3 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Assessment of cognitive functions in patients with multiple sclerosis applying the normative values of the Rao’s brief repeatable battery in the Portuguese population

“…Cognitive impairment has been reported to affect between 34 to 65% of MS patients [1][2][3], irrespective of age and gender [4,5]. It can occur at all stages of the disease since its onset [6,7], and it tends to progress over time, creating a significant impact on patientsf unctioning and quality of life [3,[8][9][10][11].…”