Direct costs associated with mild cognitive impairment in primary care

Abstract

Little is known about the direct costs of individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This study investigates the direct costs associated with MCI according to recent diagnostic criteria from a societal perspective. Four hundred and fifty-two primary care patients aged 75+ from Leipzig, Germany, were investigated in face-to-face interviews regarding MCI according to the current diagnostic criteria of the International Working Group on MCI, resource utilisation and costs (questionnaire of service utilisation and costs), as well as chronic medical illness (Chronic Disease Score). Resource utilisation was monetarily valued using 2004/2005 prices. Mean annual direct costs were 4,443 euro for patients with MCI (n=39) and 3,814 euro for patients without MCI (n=413) (p=0.34). Looking at the cost components, patients with and without MCI only significantly differed regarding pharmaceutical costs (1,210 euro vs 1,062 euro; p<0.05) not caused by antidementive drugs. Direct costs of individuals having MCI are not significantly increased in comparison to direct costs of individuals without cognitive deficits.