Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsEdge Corporation :

2008 JAN 28 - (NewsRx.com) -- Researchers detail in 'Estimating the cost of epilepsy in Europe: a review with economic modeling,' new data in epilepsy (see also Epilepsy Therapy). "Based on available epidemiologic, health economic, and international population statistics literature, the cost of epilepsy in Europe was estimated. Europe was defined as the 25 European Union member countries, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland," scientists in Sassari, Italy report.

"Guidelines for epidemiological studies on epilepsy were used for a case definition. A bottom-up prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach, the societal perspective for including the cost items, and the human capital approach as valuation principle for indirect costs were used. The cost estimates were based on selected studies with common methodology and valuation principles. The estimated prevalence of epilepsy in Europe in 2004 was 4.3-7.8 per 1,000. The estimated total cost of the disease in Europe was euro15.5 billion in 2004, indirect cost being the single most dominant cost category (euro8.6 billion). Direct health care costs were euro2.8 billion, outpatient care comprising the largest part (euro1.3 billion). Direct nonmedical cost was euro4.2 billion. That of antiepileptic drugs was euro400 million. The total cost per case was euro2,000-11,500 and the estimated cost per European inhabitant was euro33. Epilepsy is a relevant socioeconomic burden at individual, family, health services, and societal level in Europe. The greater proportion of such burden is outside the formal health care sector, antiepileptic drugs representing a smaller proportion. Lack of economic data from several European countries and other methodological limitations make this report an initial estimate of the cost of epilepsy in Europe," wrote M. Pugliatti and colleagues, University of Sassari.

The researchers concluded: "Prospective incidence cost-of-illness studies from well-defined populations and common methodology are encouraged."

Pugliatti and colleagues published their study in Epilepsia (Estimating the cost of epilepsy in Europe: a review with economic modeling. Epilepsia, 2007;48(12):2224-33).

For additional information, contact M. Pugliatti, University of Sassari, Institute of Clinical Neurology, Medical School, Sassari, Italy.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Epilepsia is: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.

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