Evaluation of economic damage from multiple sclerosis in the city of Ufa, Russia

Multiple sclerosis (MS) remains one of the most expensive diseases in the Russian healthcare system due to its early onset, increasing life expectancy of the patients, and the use of costly diagnostic methods and medical treatment. According to experts, even a slight reduction in direct (medical) expenses leads to a sharp increase in indirect costs; this situation necessitates an updated assessment of the number of MS patients, the degree of their disability, and the epidemiological dynamics of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess the economic damage associated with MS using the clinical, epidemiological, medical, and social data available for the city of Ufa. Materials and Methods. Direct medical expenses (outpatient care, visits to specialists, inpatient care, medications for outpatients), direct non-medical costs (temporary disability benefits, disability pensions, social services) were analyzed as well as the losses in the regional gross domestic product (GDP) due to temporary or permanent disability and premature mortality (indirect costs). Results. Because of MS only in the city Ufa, the Russian economy loses 428,222,026.35 rubles per year, mostly due to direct medical costs; of those, almost 50% is spent for immunomodulatory therapy (202,787,862.81 rubles). Annually, 4 596 245.76 rubles are spent for the hospital 24-hour treatment of MS patients, 916,154.28 rubles – for the daycare treatment, and 505,914.56 rubles – for outpatient care. Economic losses from premature death of MS patients in Ufa amounted to 21,570,999.52 rubles per year, and the lost GDP profit was estimated at 328,783,783 rubles. Conclusion. MS remains the leader of high-cost diseases and requires significant expenses from the state-run healthcare system in the Russian Federation. Epidemiological and pharmacoeconomic studies can help planning and modernizing the medical care for patients with multiple sclerosis. 

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