Multiple sclerosis in Italy: cost-of-illness study.

This study estimates the direct costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Italy from the perspective of the National Health System. Patients diagnosed with MS for >= 1 year prior to study entry were included in the analysis; neurological disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Cost variables were analyzed according to: MS phenotype, disease course over the previous year and EDSS rating. A total of 510 patients were included in the analysis. Overall costs were significantly higher for relapsing-remitting MS and secondary progressive MS than for primary progressive MS (P < 0.05). Costs were higher for EDSS scores 0.0-3.5 and 4.0-6.0 than for scores > 6.0 (P < 0.05). The extrapolated data gave an estimated annual direct cost of MS per patient of (sic)18,030. In conclusion, relapsing-remitting MS or secondary progressive MS phenotypes and lower estimated EDSS scores appear to be associated with higher costs.