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01-05-2010 | Original Research Article

Health Economic Burden of Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome in a German Ambulatory Setting

Authors: Professor Dr Richard Dodel, Svenja Happe, Ines Peglau, Geert Mayer, Jürgen Wasem, Jens-Peter Reese, Guido Giani, Max Geraedts, Claudia Trenkwalder, Wolfgang H. Oertel, Karin Stiasny-Kolster

Published in: PharmacoEconomics | Issue 5/2010

Abstract

Background: The primary characteristics of restless legs syndrome (RLS), including severe sleep disorders, restlessness in the evening and discomfort while at rest, have substantial impact on normal daily activities. Because of the high prevalence of RLS in the general population, it is necessary to evaluate the economic impact of RLS.

Objective: To determine the health economic burden of patients with RLS in Germany.

Methods: A total of 519 RLS patients (mean age: 65.2–11.1 years) in different stages of disease were recruited in five health centres (university hospitals, district hospitals and office-based neurologists) by applying the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. A questionnaire was administered that assessed healthcare resource consumption as well as socioeconomic, demographic, clinical and health status.

In addition, the International RLS severity scale (IRLS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), EQ-5D and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were addressed in the assessment. Direct and indirect costs (€, year 2006 values) were derived from various German economic resources and calculated from the perspective of the healthcare and transfer payment providers.

Results: We calculated average total costs over the 3-month observation period. It was determined that average total costs were €2090 for this period. The average direct medical and non-medical costs from the perspective of the health insurance provider were determined to be €780, with €300 attributed to drug costs and €354 to hospitalization costs. Average total indirect costs amounted to h1308 and were calculated based on productivity loss, using the human capital approach. As cost-driving factors we identified disease severity according to the IRLS (p < 0.01) and ESS (p < 0.04). Health-related quality of life was determined to be substantially affected by RLS; the mean EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) was 55.6, considerably lower than that of the agematched general population.

Conclusion: RLS places a notable financial burden on society as well as on patients and their families. More detailed studies are needed to evaluate the health economic impact of this disorder.

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Title: Health Economic Burden of Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome in a German Ambulatory Setting
Authors: Professor Dr Richard Dodel
Svenja Happe
Ines Peglau
Geert Mayer
Jürgen Wasem
Jens-Peter Reese
Guido Giani
Max Geraedts
Claudia Trenkwalder
Wolfgang H. Oertel
Karin Stiasny-Kolster
Publication date: 01-05-2010
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: PharmacoEconomics / Issue 5/2010
Print ISSN: 1170-7690
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2027
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11531030-000000000-00000

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Health Economic Burden of Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome in a German Ambulatory Setting

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