Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis
Abstract Background Alzheimer Disease (AD) represents a growing global health concern with profound socioeconomic implications, with predictions indicating a potential 50% increase in AD cases in Italy over the next 30 years. Timely diagnosis remains challenging due to the slow progression of sympto...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12735-4 |
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| author | Francesco Saverio Mennini Paolo Sciattella Matteo Scortichini Raffaele Migliorini Marco Trabucco Aurilio Andrea Marcellusi Angelo Bianchetti |
| author_facet | Francesco Saverio Mennini Paolo Sciattella Matteo Scortichini Raffaele Migliorini Marco Trabucco Aurilio Andrea Marcellusi Angelo Bianchetti |
| author_sort | Francesco Saverio Mennini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Alzheimer Disease (AD) represents a growing global health concern with profound socioeconomic implications, with predictions indicating a potential 50% increase in AD cases in Italy over the next 30 years. Timely diagnosis remains challenging due to the slow progression of symptoms and limited accessibility to advanced diagnostic tools, yet it remains one of the few tools available to prevent and alter the clinical course of the disease. The aim of this study is to build a cost-of-illness model to estimate the number of AD patients managed by the National Health Service, analyzing their use of hospital care, and estimating the social costs through real-world data. Methods The analysis encompassed a multifaceted approach, combining real-world data analysis from different sources for the period 2014–2019. Health direct costs related to AD in Italy were estimated thanks to the Italian database of all hospital discharges and a Local Health Unit database (400,000 residents) collecting all information on resource consumption related to AD. The National Social Security System database was used to estimate social security costs (disability compensations) related to Attendance Allowance (AA) recognitions. Results In Italy a prevalence of 413,715 AD patients was estimated, with annual health direct costs per patient equal to €3,779. Annual social security costs related to AA recognitions amounted to 240 million euros. Overall, the analysis estimated an annual total cost exceeding 1.8 billion euros. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted burden of AD in Italy, shedding light on its economic dimensions. The results underscore the urgency of prioritizing AD on political agendas, especially in the face of the projected global surge in AD cases. The study advocates for proactive policy interventions and informed healthcare decision-making to address the complex challenges posed by AD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2082f92c8c44814b98d7fb5f78218bf |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-b2082f92c8c44814b98d7fb5f78218bf2025-08-20T02:20:03ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-04-012511810.1186/s12913-025-12735-4Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysisFrancesco Saverio Mennini0Paolo Sciattella1Matteo Scortichini2Raffaele Migliorini3Marco Trabucco Aurilio4Andrea Marcellusi5Angelo Bianchetti6Faculty of Economics, Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA-CEIS), University of Rome “Tor Vergata”Faculty of Economics, Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA-CEIS), University of Rome “Tor Vergata”Faculty of Economics, Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA-CEIS), University of Rome “Tor Vergata”Office of Medical Forensic Coordination, Italian National Social Security Institute (INPS)Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of MoliseFaculty of Economics, Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA-CEIS), University of Rome “Tor Vergata”Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Istituto Clinico S. Anna Hospital, Gruppo San DonatoAbstract Background Alzheimer Disease (AD) represents a growing global health concern with profound socioeconomic implications, with predictions indicating a potential 50% increase in AD cases in Italy over the next 30 years. Timely diagnosis remains challenging due to the slow progression of symptoms and limited accessibility to advanced diagnostic tools, yet it remains one of the few tools available to prevent and alter the clinical course of the disease. The aim of this study is to build a cost-of-illness model to estimate the number of AD patients managed by the National Health Service, analyzing their use of hospital care, and estimating the social costs through real-world data. Methods The analysis encompassed a multifaceted approach, combining real-world data analysis from different sources for the period 2014–2019. Health direct costs related to AD in Italy were estimated thanks to the Italian database of all hospital discharges and a Local Health Unit database (400,000 residents) collecting all information on resource consumption related to AD. The National Social Security System database was used to estimate social security costs (disability compensations) related to Attendance Allowance (AA) recognitions. Results In Italy a prevalence of 413,715 AD patients was estimated, with annual health direct costs per patient equal to €3,779. Annual social security costs related to AA recognitions amounted to 240 million euros. Overall, the analysis estimated an annual total cost exceeding 1.8 billion euros. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted burden of AD in Italy, shedding light on its economic dimensions. The results underscore the urgency of prioritizing AD on political agendas, especially in the face of the projected global surge in AD cases. The study advocates for proactive policy interventions and informed healthcare decision-making to address the complex challenges posed by AD.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12735-4Alzheimer diseaseSocial costsReal world evidenceItalyEconomic burden |
| spellingShingle | Francesco Saverio Mennini Paolo Sciattella Matteo Scortichini Raffaele Migliorini Marco Trabucco Aurilio Andrea Marcellusi Angelo Bianchetti Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis BMC Health Services Research Alzheimer disease Social costs Real world evidence Italy Economic burden |
| title | Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis |
| title_full | Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis |
| title_fullStr | Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis |
| title_short | Burden of disease of Alzheimer disease in Italy: a real-world data analysis |
| title_sort | burden of disease of alzheimer disease in italy a real world data analysis |
| topic | Alzheimer disease Social costs Real world evidence Italy Economic burden |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12735-4 |
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