1. The economic impact of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis
- Author
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Michela Ponzio, Maria Cristina Monti, Giulia Mallucci, Paola Borrelli, Sara Fusco, Andrea Tacchino, Giampaolo Brichetto, Livio Tronconi, Cristina Montomoli, and Roberto Bergamaschi
- Subjects
Psychiatry and Mental health ,Neurology (clinical) ,Dermatology ,General Medicine - Abstract
Background Comorbid conditions are common in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). They can delay diagnosis and negatively impact the disease course, progression of disability, therapeutic management, and adherence to treatment. Objective To quantify the economic impact of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis (MS), based on cost-of-illness estimates made using a bottom-up approach. Methods A retrospective study was carried out in two northern Italian areas. The socio-demographic and clinical information, including comorbidities data, were collected through ad hoc anonymous self-assessment questionnaire while disease costs (direct and indirect costs of disease and loss of productivity) were estimated using a bottom-up approach. Costs were compared between pwMS with and without comorbidity. Adjusted incremental costs associated with comorbidity were reported using generalized linear models with log-link and gamma distributions or two-part models. Results 51.0% of pwMS had at least one comorbid condition. Hypertension (21.0%), depression (15.7%), and anxiety (11.7%) were the most prevalent. PwMS with comorbidity were more likely to use healthcare resources, such as hospitalizations (OR = 1.21, p p p = 0.012), and to incur non-healthcare costs related to investment (OR = 1.32, p p p p = 0.16). Finally, they experienced greater productivity losses (OR = 1.34, p Conclusion Comorbidity has health, social, and economic consequences for pwMS.
- Published
- 2022