Authors:
Teoh LJ, Geelhoed EA, Bayley K, Leonard H, Laing NG.
Authors notes:
Muscle and Nerve. 2016;53(6):877-84.
Keywords:
Burden, Cost, DMD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Healthcare, Muscular dystrophy, Resource use
Abstract:
Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable neuromuscular disorder of childhood.
Healthcare, caregiving, and other resource needs of affected individuals are thought to be substantial; however, the economic burden associated with DMD has not yet been assessed specifically in Australia.
Methods: Australian households with a child with DMD were asked to complete a cross-sectional survey.
Data were collected on annual resource utilization including hospital and medical services, equipment, home modifications, informal care, and working days lost.
Results: Mean healthcare costs were found to be $10,046 Australian dollars per affected individual and were markedly higher than average Australian health expenditures at each age group.
The mean total cost was $46,700 (median $32,300), with healthcare costs contributing 22% of total costs.
Conclusions: The annual economic cost of DMD was found to be high, reflecting a significant socioeconomic burden, especially in boys who reach adulthood, where household resource use and caregiving burden is highest.