The societal costs of multiple sclerosis in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study

J. Dahham*, M. Hiligsmann, I. Kremer, S.J. Khoury, H. Darwish, H. Hosseini, S. Evers, R. Rizk

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

IntroductionThis study assessed the societal costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Lebanon, categorized by disease severity.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, prevalence-based, bottom-up study using a face-to-face questionnaire. Patients were stratified by disease severity using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS); EDSS scores of 0-3, 4-6.5, and 7-9 indicating respectively mild, moderate, and severe MS. All direct medical, nonmedical, and indirect costs related to reduced productivity were accounted for regardless of who bore them. Costs, collected from various sources, were presented in international US dollars (US$) using the purchasing power parity (PPP) conversion rate.ResultsWe included 210 Lebanese patients (mean age: 43.3 years; 65.7% females). The total annual costs per patient were PPP US$ 33,117 for 2021, 12.4 times higher than the nominal GDP per capita. Direct costs represented 52% (US$ 17,185), direct nonmedical costs 8% (US$ 2,722), and indirect costs 40% (US$ 13, 211) of the mean annual costs. The total annual costs per patient increased with disease severity and were PPP US$ 29,979, PPP US$ 36,125, PPP US$ 39,136 for mild, moderate, and severe MS, respectively.ConclusionThis study reveals the huge economic burden of MS on the Lebanese healthcare system and society.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)419-430
Number of pages12
JournalExpert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research
Volume23
Issue number4
Early online date1 Mar 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Apr 2023

Keywords

  • BURDEN
  • CARE
  • DIAGNOSIS
  • ILLNESS
  • INSIGHTS
  • Lebanon
  • cost-of-illness
  • economic burden
  • healthcare consumption
  • multiple sclerosis
  • productivity losses
  • Productivity losses
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Healthcare consumption
  • Economic burden
  • Cost-of-illness

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