Economic burden of stroke across Europe: A population-based cost analysis

Abstract

Introduction: In 2017, 1.5 million people were diagnosed with stroke, 9 million were living with stroke and 0.4 million died because of stroke in 32 European countries. We estimate the economic burden of stroke across these countries in 2017. Patients and methods: In a population-based cost analysis, we evaluated the cost of stroke. We estimated overall health and social care costs from expenditure on care in the primary, outpatient, emergency, inpatient and nursing/ residential care settings, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, we estimated the costs of unpaid care provided by relatives or friends of patients, lost earnings due to premature death and costs associated with individuals who temporarily or permanently left employment because of illness. Results: In 2017 stroke cost the 32 European countries under analysis e60 billion, with health care accounting for e27 billion (45%), representing 1.7% of health expenditure. Adding the costs of social care (e5 billion), annual strokerelated care costs were equivalent to e59 per citizen, varying from e11 in Bulgaria to e140 in Finland. Productivity losses cost e12 billion, equally split between early death and lost working days. A total of e1.3 billion hours of informal care were provided to stroke survivors, costing Europe e16 billion. Conclusion: Our study provides a snapshot of the economic consequences posed by stroke to 32 European countries in 2017. It also strengthens and updates the evidence we have gathered over the last 15 years, indicating that the costs of stroke are rising, partly due to an ageing population.

Financial Burden of Stroke Reflected in a Pilot Center for the Implementation of Thrombolysis

“…The healthcare burden of stroke in European Union (EU) was approximately €20 billion in 2015, and €27 billion in 2017. In 2015, almost 72% of these expenses were represented by hospital care [7], and in 2017 a decrease of the percentage was observed; only 45% of the expanses were incurred by healthcare systems [8]. The results of the studies revealed that the costs regarding stroke (health and social care costs) / capita are associated with increases in a nation's wealth, resulting in increased stroke-related costs [7,8].…”

“…In 2015, almost 72% of these expenses were represented by hospital care [7], and in 2017 a decrease of the percentage was observed; only 45% of the expanses were incurred by healthcare systems [8]. The results of the studies revealed that the costs regarding stroke (health and social care costs) / capita are associated with increases in a nation's wealth, resulting in increased stroke-related costs [7,8]. Also, large variations in health and social care expenses for stroke have been indicated, even for those countries with similar levels of national income [8].…”

“…The results of the studies revealed that the costs regarding stroke (health and social care costs) / capita are associated with increases in a nation's wealth, resulting in increased stroke-related costs [7,8]. Also, large variations in health and social care expenses for stroke have been indicated, even for those countries with similar levels of national income [8]. In 2015, in Romania, the costs / patient in case of stroke were about €8, occupying the penultimate place in the EU, ahead of Bulgaria (€7) and far from Finland, with the highest costs (€132) [7].…”

“…In 2015, in Romania, the costs / patient in case of stroke were about €8, occupying the penultimate place in the EU, ahead of Bulgaria (€7) and far from Finland, with the highest costs (€132) [7]. The overall expenditures are however, doubled, and this huge burden of stroke on the economy is supported by the society through contributions to insurance and payment of taxes but also, considerably, by the survivors of stroke and their caregivers [7,8].…”

Calprotectin predicts mortality after ischemic stroke and is present in the thrombus

“…Stroke is the most frequent cause of permanent disability in adults and one of the most important causes of death [1]. Over the next years, global stroke burden is expected to increase steadily, mainly because of population aging [2]. Ischemic stroke remains to represent more than 80% of all strokes.…”