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

To estimate the value of interventions in multiple sclerosis (MS) – where lifetime costs and outcomes cannot be observed – outcome data have to be combined with costs. This requires that cost data be regularly updated.Objectives and methods: This study is part of a cross-sectional retrospective study in 16 countries collecting 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 disability, from the societal perspective, in HUF 2015.Results: A total of 521 patients (mean age 47 years) participated; 85% were below retirement age, and of these, 47% were employed. Employment was related to disability and MS affected productivity at work for 82% of those working. Overall, 94% and 66% of patients experienced fatigue and cognitive difficulties as a problem, respectively. The mean utility and annual costs were 0.691 and 3,432,000HUF at Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0–3, 0.491 and 5,262,000HUF at EDSS 4–6.5 and 0.076 and 6,235,000HUF at EDSS 7–9, respectively. The average cost of a relapse was estimated at 240,500HUF.Conclusion: This study illustrates the burden of MS on Hungarian patients and provides current data that are important for the development of health policies.