The Economic Burden of Parkinson's Disease in the Netherlands: From Societal Impact to Investments in Health Solutions

Author(s)

Meine Zijlstra1, Joline Van de Rijt, Msc2, Cornelis Boersma, PhD3.
1Health-Ecore, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2Open Universiteit, Heerlen, Netherlands, 3Health-Ecore, Zeist, Netherlands.
OBJECTIVES: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a rapidly growing neurodegenerative disorder with significant health, economic and broader societal implications. In the Netherlands, the aging population is expected to drive a substantial increase in PD prevalence, from 67,000 in 2022 to nearly 105,000 by 2040, intensifying pressure on the healthcare system and informal care networks. So far, a comprehensive overview of PD-related costs from a societal perspective has been lacking. This study aims to quantify the total societal costs of Parkinson’s disease in the Netherlands and identify potential key cost drivers to inform future healthcare decision-making.
METHODS: A top-down cost of illness analysis for 2022 was conducted using literature, insurance data, and national statistics. Costs were categorized into direct medical, indirect (productivity losses and benefits), and informal care. Additionally, main cost drivers and regional differences were analysed, along with potential strategies to address them.
RESULTS: The total societal cost of PD in 2022 was estimated at €1.40 billion, comprising: direct medical costs: €1.13 billion, with nursing care as the largest contributor (€955.9 million), followed by medication, hospital care, and physiotherapy expenses; indirect costs of patients: €155.2 million, including €98.5 million in productivity losses and €56.7 million in benefit expenses; Informal care costs: €115.0 million. By 2040, the total amount is expected to increase to €2.21 billion.
CONCLUSIONS: PD poses a growing societal and economic burden in the Netherlands, with major impacts beyond the healthcare sector. Future research should focus on understanding key cost drivers and explore strategies to mitigate the projected burden. Topics such as integrated care, toxin exposure prevention and lifestyle interventions will be crucial. Investment in national data infrastructure is also essential to close existing knowledge gaps and to support future evidence-based decision-making.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland

Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2

Code

EE703

Topic

Economic Evaluation, Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Technology Assessment

Topic Subcategory

Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies, Novel & Social Elements of Value, Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs

Disease

Geriatrics, Neurological Disorders

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