Open AccessThe socioeconomic impact of multiple sclerosis in France: Results from the PETALS study
Author(s) -
A Bouleau,
C Dulong,
CA Schwerer,
Romain Delgrange,
K Bouaou,
T Brochu,
Saad Zinaï,
K Švecová,
María José Sá,
A Petropoulos,
S Aly,
Pierre Labauge
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
multiple sclerosis journal, experimental, translational and clinical
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2055-2173
DOI - 10.1177/20552173221093219
Subject(s) - indirect costs , total cost , environmental health , cost estimate , economic cost , direct cost , medicine , cost database , population , demography , business , economics , accounting , neoclassical economics , management , sociology
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) places a considerable financial burden on the society. However, data quantifying the contemporary cost burden in France are lacking.Objective This cost-of-illness study aimed to estimate the direct and indirect costs associated with MS in France.Methods Between October 2020-November 2020, 208 French adults with a confirmed diagnosis of MS were recruited via MSCopilot ® (a new MS self-assessment digital solution) and several MS patient networks. Indirect costs were estimated using a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches. Direct costs were retrieved from Assurance Maladie (i.e. national system of health insurance) publications. Out-of-pocket expenses (OOPEs) incurred by MS patients were also reported. All costs were expressed in €2020. Data from the survey were extrapolated to the overall French MS population.Results MS exerted an annual cost burden of €2.7 billion on the French society (indirect costs: €1.3 billion; direct costs: €1.4 billion). Mean annual costs were €27,164.7 per-patient, with indirect and direct costs accounting for 48.1% and 51.9% of the total annual costs, respectively. OOPEs contributed over €90 million to the total annual costs.Conclusions MS imposes a substantial cost burden on the French society, with approximately half of the total annual costs driven by indirect costs.