Objectives: To carry out a study of the economic burden of the disease in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I, and both II & III, from the perspective of public health institutions in Mexico.

Methods: Two scenarios were considered, one with SMA type I and another including SMA type II & III. Direct medical costs associated with the management of patients with SMA was carried out. The costs were estimated based on the public data sources of the different health institutions in order to determine the cost per patient per year. The resources use was obtained through an exhaustive search in different databases. This information was validated through a Delphi panel with experts in the management of SMA in Mexico. A univariate deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed, modifying the incidence and prevalence of the disease.

Results: The annual cost of standard care for patients with SMA type I was $76,593.29, while for patients with SMA type II & III was $18,340.04. However, when the life expectancy of patients, the standard cost of treatments and the health budget are considered, a greater annual financial investment is observed for patients with SMA type II & III. In the sensitivity analysis, it is obtained that the incidence in SMA type II & III has the highest use of resources.

Conclusions: The annual cost per patient with SMA type I is 4 times higher than for SMA II & III. However, the financial impact is broader in patients with SMA type II & III since the accumulated target population is taken into account, thus increasing the investment year after year.