RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Direct costs of ankylosing spondylitis and its determinants: an analysis among three European countries
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 732
OP 740
DO 10.1136/ard.62.8.732
VO 62
IS 8
A1 A Boonen
A1 D van der Heijde
A1 R Landewé
A1 F Guillemin
A1 M Rutten-van Mölken
A1 M Dougados
A1 H Mielants
A1 K de Vlam
A1 H van der Tempel
A1 S Boesen
A1 A Spoorenberg
A1 H Schouten
A1 Sj van der Linden
YR 2003
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/62/8/732.abstract
AB Objective: To assess direct costs associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). To determine which variables, including country, predict costs. Methods: 216 patients with AS from the Netherlands, France, and Belgium participated in a two year observational study and filled in bimonthly economic questionnaires. Disease related healthcare resource use was measured and direct costs were calculated from a societal perspective (true cost estimates) and from a financial perspective (country-specific tariffs). Predictors of costs were assessed using Cox’s regression analysis. Results: 209 patients provided sufficient data for cost analysis. Mean annual societal direct costs for each patient were €2640, of which 82% were direct healthcare costs. In univariate analysis costs were higher in the Netherlands than in Belgium, but this difference disappeared after adjusting for baseline differences in patients’ characteristics among countries. Longer disease duration, lower education, worse physical function, and higher disease activity were predictors of costs. Mean annual direct costs from a financial perspective were €2122, €1402, and €941 per patient in the Netherlands, France, and Belgium, respectively. For each country, costs from a financial perspective were significantly lower than costs from a societal perspective. Conclusion: Direct costs for AS are substantial in three European countries but not significantly different after adjusting for baseline characteristics among countries. Worse physical function and higher disease activity are important determinants of costs, suggesting better disease control might reduce the costs of AS. The difference in costs from a societal and financial perspective emphasises the importance of an economic analysis.