TY - JOUR
T1 - The cost of headache disorders in Europe
T2 - The Eurolight project
AU - Linde, M.
AU - Gustavsson, A.
AU - Stovner, L. J.
AU - Steiner, T. J.
AU - Barré, J.
AU - Katsarava, Z.
AU - Lainez, J. M.
AU - Lampl, C.
AU - Lantéri-Minet, M.
AU - Rastenyte, D.
AU - Ruiz de la Torre, E.
AU - Tassorelli, C.
AU - Andrée, C.
PY - 2012/5
Y1 - 2012/5
N2 - Background and purpose: Headache disorders are very common, but their monetary costs in Europe are unknown. We performed the first comprehensive estimation of how economic resources are lost to headache in Europe. Methods: From November 2008 to August 2009, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight countries representing 55% of the adult EU population. Participation rates varied between 11% and 59%. In total, 8412 questionnaires contributed to this analysis. Using bottom-up methodology, we estimated direct (medications, outpatient health care, hospitalization and investigations) and indirect (work absenteeism and reduced productivity at work) annual per-person costs. Prevalence data, simultaneously collected and, for migraine, also derived from a systematic review, were used to impute national costs. Results: Mean per-person annual costs were €1222 for migraine (95% CI 1055-1389; indirect costs 93%), €303 for tension-type headache (TTH, 95% CI 230-376; indirect costs 92%), €3561 for medication-overuse headache (MOH, 95% CI 2487-4635; indirect costs 92%), and €253 for other headaches (95% CI 99-407; indirect costs 82%). In the EU, the total annual cost of headache amongst adults aged 18-65years was calculated, according to our prevalence estimates, at €173billion, apportioned to migraine (€111billion; 64%), TTH (€21billion; 12%), MOH (€37billion; 21%) and other headaches (€3billion; 2%). Using the 15% systematic review prevalence of migraine, calculated costs were somewhat lower (migraine €50billion, all headache €112billion annually). Conclusions: Headache disorders are prominent health-related drivers of immense economic losses for the EU. This has immediate implications for healthcare policy. Health care for headache can be both improved and cost saving.
AB - Background and purpose: Headache disorders are very common, but their monetary costs in Europe are unknown. We performed the first comprehensive estimation of how economic resources are lost to headache in Europe. Methods: From November 2008 to August 2009, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight countries representing 55% of the adult EU population. Participation rates varied between 11% and 59%. In total, 8412 questionnaires contributed to this analysis. Using bottom-up methodology, we estimated direct (medications, outpatient health care, hospitalization and investigations) and indirect (work absenteeism and reduced productivity at work) annual per-person costs. Prevalence data, simultaneously collected and, for migraine, also derived from a systematic review, were used to impute national costs. Results: Mean per-person annual costs were €1222 for migraine (95% CI 1055-1389; indirect costs 93%), €303 for tension-type headache (TTH, 95% CI 230-376; indirect costs 92%), €3561 for medication-overuse headache (MOH, 95% CI 2487-4635; indirect costs 92%), and €253 for other headaches (95% CI 99-407; indirect costs 82%). In the EU, the total annual cost of headache amongst adults aged 18-65years was calculated, according to our prevalence estimates, at €173billion, apportioned to migraine (€111billion; 64%), TTH (€21billion; 12%), MOH (€37billion; 21%) and other headaches (€3billion; 2%). Using the 15% systematic review prevalence of migraine, calculated costs were somewhat lower (migraine €50billion, all headache €112billion annually). Conclusions: Headache disorders are prominent health-related drivers of immense economic losses for the EU. This has immediate implications for healthcare policy. Health care for headache can be both improved and cost saving.
KW - Cost
KW - Economic burden
KW - Eurolight
KW - Headache
KW - Migraine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859815299&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22136117
U2 - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011.03612.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011.03612.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 22136117
AN - SCOPUS:84859815299
SN - 1351-5101
VL - 19
SP - 703
EP - 711
JO - European Journal of Neurology
JF - European Journal of Neurology
IS - 5
ER -