Description:
<jats:p><jats:bold>Objective: </jats:bold> To determine the health economic burden on patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Germany over a 12‐month observation period and provide a comprehensive analysis of cost‐driving factors.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Methods and patients: </jats:bold> Patients with PD (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 145) were recruited from two clinical departments, two office‐based neurologists and 12 GPs. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Disease severity was measured using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Cost data were assessed based on a patient diary and via personal structured interviews at the respective time‐points. Costs were calculated from the societal perspective (2009 €). Cost‐driving factors were identified by multivariate regression analysis.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results: </jats:bold> Mean annual costs totalled €20 095 per patient. Amongst direct costs, the highest expenditures (€13 158) were for drugs (€3526) and inpatient care including nursing homes (€3789). Indirect costs accounted for 34.5% (€6937) of total costs. Costs of home care provided by family accounted for 20% of direct costs. Cost‐driving factors were identified for total costs (UPDRS, fluctuations, dyskinesia and younger age), direct costs (UPDRS, fluctuations), patient expenditures (UPDRS, depression) and drug costs (younger age).</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusion: </jats:bold> Parkinson’s disease has a chronic course with growing disability and considerable socioeconomic burden. Disease progression leads to an increasing number of patients who require costly institutionalized care. Home care is a major factor influencing patients’ families. Healthcare programmes aimed at reducing the burden of PD on society and individuals should consider cost‐driving factors of PD.</jats:p>