The direct costs of epilepsy in Russia. A prospective cost-of-illness study from a single center in Moscow

- The cost of epilepsy in Moscow varies with disease severity and treatment response.
- Direct costs are lower than in other countries depending on local health delivery.
- Drug treatment is the leading source of costs.
- Cost predictors are younger age at diagnosis, disease severity, and disability.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate prospectively the direct costs of epilepsy in Russia, taking a patient perspective and a bottom-up approach.MethodsThe study was conducted in adolescents and adults with epilepsy seen in the ambulatory services of a city hospital in Moscow. Patients were assigned to different prognostic categories: newly diagnosed epilepsy; epilepsy in remission for 2 + years; epilepsy in remission for < 2 years or with occasional seizures; active, nondrug-resistant epilepsy; drug-resistant epilepsy; and drug-resistant epilepsy in surgical candidates. Patients were followed prospectively for 12 months. Demographic and clinical features at admission were collected and correlated with costs. Cost estimates were based on the Russian National Health Service perspective and its implementation in Moscow. Cost items included drugs and laboratory/instrumental tests. The costs per patient were calculated for the entire sample and for each prognostic category separately. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsIncluded were 738 patients (393 men, 345 women aged 14-85 years). The median annual cost/patient was €955 (IQR 521-2134; range 51-10,904). The median cost of drugs was €643 (IQR 288-1866; range 0-9960), and the median cost of laboratory/instrumental testing was €202 (IQR 160-270; range 20-1217). Mean costs varied across prognostic categories ranging from €782 in newly diagnosed patients to €3777 in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Mean (SD) hospital costs ranged from €646.7 (109.0) in patients with occasional seizures to €950.0 (28.3) in surgical candidates. Independent predictors of total costs were younger age at diagnosis, disability status, generalized seizures, multiple seizure types, seizure severity, and etiology.SignificanceThe cost of epilepsy in Moscow varies significantly depending on disease characteristics and response to drug treatment.