OBJECTIVES:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, characterized by progression and disability and a high impact on patients’ health-related quality of life. This study measures the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of a hypothetical implementation of an ideal approach to MS within the Spanish National Health System (SNHS), from a clinical, healthcare, economic and social perspective.

METHODS:

We carried out a prospective SROI analysis, with one-year time horizon, which scope was an ideal approach of managing MS within the SNHS.

Data sources included a multidisciplinary group of experts who previously agreed this ideal approach, a narrative literature review and a survey to 532 MS patients. The information was a balance between qualitative, quantitative and financial data that together described the value resulting from the activities set out in the scope.

We estimated the required investment of a hypothetical implementation of this ideal approach, as well as the potential social value that it could create. We calculated outcomes in monetary units and we measured intangible outcomes through proxy indicators. The SROI ratio measured the relationship between the potential social value over the required investment.

RESULTS:

The proposed ideal approach revealed that there are still patients’ unmet needs (emotional, social, family and employment related) that can be addressed within the SNHS, such as early diagnosis, multidisciplinary team management and equity in drug access, and their related outcomes. Investment would amount to 148 million € and social return would amount to 272 million €, so each euro invested on this ideal approach could yield almost €2 of social return.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adequate interventions could benefit the current management of MS. For this purpose, this study offers essential information to guide health interventions, resulting in money savings for the SNHS and increases in patients’ quality of life.