Costs of illness in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in Germany

Introduction: Cost of illness studies are essential to estimate societal costs of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and identify cost‐driving factors. Methods: In total, 108 patients were recruited from 3 specialized neuroimmunological clinics. Costs were calculated for a 3‐month period, including direct and indirect costs. The following outcomes were assessed: inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment disability scale, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Beck Depression Inventory, Charlson comorbidity index, EuroQol‐5D, World Health Organization quality of life instrument, and socioeconomic status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify cost‐driving factors. Results: Total quarterly costs were €11,333. Direct costs contributed to 83% of total costs (€9,423), whereas indirect costs accounted for 17% (€1,910) of total costs. The cost of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was the main determinant of total costs (67%). Reduced health‐related quality of life and depressive symptoms were identified as independent predictors of higher total costs. Discussion: CIDP is associated with high societal costs, mainly resulting from the cost of IVIg treatment. Muscle Nerve 58: 681–687, 2018