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Heavy burden of brain disorders
These disorders include mental health disorders such as depression and psychosis, and neurology disorders such as migraine, epilepsy, MS, stroke and dementia. Doctors at the Department of Neurology at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin have reported on data for Ireland from the recent Cost of Disorders of the Brain in Europe (CBDE) study. They say that in 2004, 1.1 million people in Ireland were affected by brain disorders. Adjusting the figures for They stress, however, that this may actually underestimate overall prevalence of brain disorders in the population as a whole, as, for example, the estimates used in the study for dementia and Parkinson's are limited to people over 65. The researchers estimate that the total cost of all disorders of the brain in Ireland amounts to €3 billion a year. The costs include paying for healthcare, sick leave and early retirement. The researchers state that brain disorders are both prevalent and costly in Ireland, consuming 3% of our gross national product. Psychiatric disorders account for approximately two-thirds of the total costs, while neurological and neurosurgical disorders account for the other third of the costs. According to the authors, the findings provide food for thought. "The direct medical costs for brain disorders are relatively small compared to their overall expense and indirect costs, indicating that resources might best be targeted at prevention and appropriate medical management in order to alleviate the overall cost burden to the state." they point out. They say in Ireland, this would mean improved and appropriate medical management in order to alleviate the overall cost burden to the state. The research is published in the Irish Medical Journal.
[Posted: Tue 14/08/2007] |
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At least one-fifth of the Irish population has some sort of brain disorder, and these conditions are costing each Irish citizen €775 per year, according to new research.