Direct economic impact of Parkinson's disease: A research survey in the United Kingdom

The direct costs of care were evaluated prospectively in a sample of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) in the United Kingdom in 1998. The subjects were drawn from a random sample of general practitioner practices within a representative sample of 36 Regional Health Authorities and the equivalent. A total of 444 resource use questionnaires with usable data were returned (response rate, 59%). The total mean annual cost of care per patient for all patients by age was pound5,993 (euro 9,554, n = 432). Hoehn and Yahr stage significantly (P < 0.001) influenced expenditure by stage as follows: 0 and 1, pound2,971 (euro 4,736, n = 110); II, 0,065 (euro 4,886, n = 89); III, pound6,183 (euro 9,857, n = 120); IV, pound10,134 (euro 16,155, n = 87); V, pound18,358 (euro 29,265, n = 17). National Health Service costs accounted for approximately 38% and social services for 34% of the direct costs of care. Drug expenditure accounted for 24% of overall costs in the <65 years age group and 10% in patients aged >85 years. A move from home to residential care was associated with an approximately 500% cost increase. In conclusion, PD imposes significant direct costs on public services and on individuals. These costs should be taken into account when allocating public funds. (C) 2003 Movement Disorder Society.