Analisi dei costi della stimolazione cerebrale profonda (DBS) nella malattia di Parkinson: uno studio osservazionale su pazienti italiani
Analisi dei costi della stimolazione cerebrale profonda (DBS) nella malattia di Parkinson: uno studio osservazionale su pazienti italiani
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Original abstract
Assess costs of deep brain stimulation versus traditional pharmacological therapy (levo-dopa) in patients affected by Parkinson’s disease from a social perspective. A 16-month observational prospective study was undertaken. Patients were observed for 4 months before DBS procedure and 12 months afterwards. Clinical outcomes and resource consumption data were collected through specific questionnaires submitted to patients. 7 hospitals carrying out DBS intervention in 1998. 36 patients affected by Parkinson’s disease — eligible for DBS intervention — were enrolled in the study. After DBS intervention, 31 patients were observed for 6 months and 22 patients for 12 months. Total costs to society were significantly lower in both the 0–6 month and the 6–12 month period following DBS procedure than in the preceding 4 months. A 17 month period is needed to cover the costs of DBS (€ 20.033). Clinical symptoms assessed through the UPDRS scale and functional status measured with the Barthel Index were significantly improved after DBS. The results show that, from a social perspective, DBS procedure is economically advantageous compared to traditional pharmacological therapy in patients affected by Parkinson’s disease who are eligible for the procedure.