Abstract

Background: This cost-of-illness (COI) study provides deep insight in direct and indirect costs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). Aim: Objective of this study was to analyze the costs and quality of life (QoL) of patients with MS in BH. Patients and methods: We applied the same methodology already used in study conducted across nine European countries. Sixty-two patients participated with EDSS score not higher than 6.5. Costs are collected using a questionnaire quality of life was measured by EQ-5D and MSQOL-54 questionnaires. Results: Mean age of respondents was 39.8 The mean utility measured by EQ-5D-3L was 0.68 at the beginning and 0.63 at the end of the study. QoL measured by MSQoL-54 showed improvement at the end of the trial. Costs are presented from the societal and payer perspective. Cost of MS in Bosnia and Herzegovina annually amount 124.8 million BAM. Cost driver where indirect and DMDs costs, with significant differences among subgroups. Conclusions: This study provides an in-depth analysis of MS costs in BH providing data for health policies development and information for future cost-effectiveness evaluations of new therapeutic options as well as for comparison of MS costs with other countries.

Key words: multiple sclerosis, costs, indirect costs.