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Rheumatic, musculoskeletal diseases most costly health categories in Europe
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Data presented in Brussels showed rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases are the most costly health disease categories in Europe and accounted for almost one-third of all disability in Europe, according to a European Union-funded health project.
Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are among the most prevalent conditions in Europe, with 22% of adults having experienced long-term muscle, bone and joint problems, and account for about 38% of occupational diseases. The presentation was by eumusc.net during a conference at the European Parliament under the auspices of the Lithuanian European Union presidency, according to a press release.
The eumusc.net project is a 3-year initiative supported by the European Community and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and has developed a health surveillance and information system that will allow countries to monitor RMDs and patients’ quality of care.
Different aspects of RMD burdens, including disabling consequences, accounting for four out of 10 main causes of disability, impact on employment and productivity, effects to healthy and active aging, and costs were presented in the data.
“Until recently, decision makers were mostly concerned with diseases with high mortality rate,” Maurizio Cutolo, MD, EULAR president, said in the release. “This is gradually changing. More and more policy makers understand that prioritization should be done taking into account a more comprehensive approach to the burden of diseases. This is driving them to pay increased attention to RMDs.”