Economic costs incurred by the patients with multiple sclerosis at different levels of the disease: a cross-sectional study in Northwest Iran

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes significant economic burden to the patients, families, health systems and society. This study aimed to estimate the annual economic costs incurred by patients with multiple sclerosis (pwms) at different levels of the disease. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study, using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) tool for assessing the disease level of 300 (=N) pwms in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. To estimate the cost of MS, a questionnaire with its validity and reliability (CVR 92% and CVI 87%) and pilot test (Cronbach’s alpha score 0.89) was used. The data were collected by interviewing pwms and reviewing their clinical records. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess the relationship between disease levels and incurred costs. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean annual cost for pwms in Iran is 97,521,740 IRR (equivalent to 2321.94 USD; 1978.93 EURO) and the mean score of EDSS in pwms was 3.14. The annual cost incurred by pwms with mild, moderate and severe levels of disease were 83,918,150 IRR (1998.05 USD; 1702.88EURO), 137,772,660 IRR (3280.30 USD; 2795.71 EURO) and 119,962,670 IRR (2856.25 USD;2434.30 EURO), respectively. Also, on average, each increase in EDSS score in pwms in Iran led to increase 8,139,260 IRR (equivalent to 193.79 USD; and 165.16 EURO) in total annual cost which must paid from pwms and their households exclusively. Also, there was a significant relationship between total annual cost and disease severity in such a way that any increase in EDSS degree is led to 8,139,260 IRR (193.79 USD; 165.16 EURO) added cost for pwms. CONCLUSION: The study results could be helpful for Iranian health managers to solve problems which are facing by the patients with multiple sclerosis and their families.