Article

Brain disorders (psychiatric, neurological and neurosurgical diseases together) figure amongst the leading causes of disease and disability. Yet, the knowledge of the epidemiological and economic impact of brain disorders has been relatively little researched in Europe. WHO data suggest, however, that brain disorders cause 35% of the burden of all diseases in Europe. Objectives: The present study aims at estimating the economic cost of disorders of the brain in Europe based on the published epidemiological and economic evidence. A secondary objective was to identify gaps in both epidemiological and economic evidence on brain disorders thus providing focus for future research efforts. Methods: A model was developed to combine epidemiological and economic data on brain disorders in Europe (EU member countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) and thus estimate their total cost. More specifically, it consisted of the following steps in which we: (i) transformed and converted available economic data to a defined time-period as well as currency (E2004); (ii) adjusted country specific economic data for purchasing power and relative size of economy; (iii) imputed data for countries where no data are available; (iv) combined epidemiology and economic data to estimate the total cost of a defined disease; (v) added the cost of all selected disorders to arrive at the total cost for Europe. The model was populated with data collected from extensive literature reviews in the epidemiology and economic burden of brain disorders in Europe, conducted by 12 groups of European epidemiologists and health economists. The cost data were calculated as cost per patient, and epidemiological data were primarily reported as 12-month prevalence estimates. National and international statistics for the model were retrieved from the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) and Eurostat databases. The aggregated annual cost estimates were presented in Euros for 2004. Results: There are an estimated 127 million Europeans currently living with a brain disorder out of a population of 466 million. The total annual cost of brain disorders in Europe was estimated to E386 billion in 2004. Direct medical expenditures alone totalled E135 billion, comprising inpatient stays (E78 billion), outpatient visits (E45 billion) and drug costs (E13 billion). Attributable indirect costs resulting from lost workdays and productivity loss because of permanent disability caused by brain disorders and mortality were E 179 billion, of which the mental disorders are the most prevalent. Direct non-medical costs (social services, informal care and other direct costs) totalled E72 billion. Mental disorders amounted to E240 billion and hence constitute 62% of the total cost (excluding dementia), followed by neurological diseases (excluding dementia) totalling E84 billion (22%). Neurosurgical diseases made up a s

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI