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| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Socioeconomic impact of depression and pain in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders |
| Creators Name: | Tkachenko, Daria, Ayzenberg, Ilya, Schöppe, Louisa M., Schülke, Rasmus, Paul, Friedemann, Duchow, Ankelien, Bellmann-Strobl, Judith, Siebert, Nadja, Kümpfel, Tania, Havla, Joachim, Pellkofer, Hannah, Jarius, Sven, Wildemann, Brigitte, Berthele, Achim, Klotz, Luisa, Pawlitzki, Marc, Gingele, Stefan, Schreiber-Katz, Olivia, Weber, Martin S., Senel, Makbule, Stellmann, Jan-Patrick, Häußler, Vivien, Aktas, Orhan, Ringelstein, Marius, Hellwig, Kerstin, Schwake, Carolin, Kleiter, Ingo, Trebst, Corinna and Hümmert, Martin W. |
| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are associated with a high burden of depression, pain, and physical disability, all of which significantly impair quality of life. At the same time, discussions on the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies are gaining importance. However, it is not yet known whether specific symptom burdens are particularly cost-driving. This study aims to provide a comprehensive cost analysis considering depression and pain to optimise future healthcare strategies. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted at twelve centres of the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Over a three-year period, 115 NMOSD patients were recruited. Disease-related costs, pain, and depression were assessed using standardised questionnaires. A generalised linear model analysis and graphical sub-cost analysis were performed to identify key cost drivers. The robustness of our findings was confirmed using two independent depression rating scales. RESULTS: In our sample of 115 patients, 77% suffered from chronic pain with a median pain intensity of 4.0 on the numeric rating scale (NRS). Moreover, 56% of patients reported depressive symptoms. In multivariate regression analysis, depression emerged as a significant predictor of total costs (p < 0.001) alongside the EDSS score (p < 0.001) and age (p = 0.004). In contrast, pain was not significantly influencing total costs (p = 0.057), despite being reported by the majority of patients. Graphical analyses highlighted informal costs as the main cost driver in patients with increasing depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are not only common in NMOSD patients but also represent a major cost driver alongside neurological disability. Addressing these symptoms is essential for optimal patient care and may help reduce the socioeconomic burden. |
| Keywords: | Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD), Socioeconomic Burden, Depression, Pain, Cost of Illness (COI), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Informal Care Costs, Formal Care Costs |
| Source: | Neurological Research and Practice |
| ISSN: | 2524-3489 |
| Publisher: | BioMed Central |
| Volume: | 8 |
| Number: | 1 |
| Page Range: | 36 |
| Date: | 4 May 2026 |
| Additional Information: | Maria Hastermann and Frederike Cosima Oertel are collaborators of the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). |
| Official Publication: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-026-00486-4 |
| PubMed: | View item in PubMed |
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