The cost and the value of treatment of medication overuse headache in Italy: a longitudinal study based on patient‐derived data

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The cost of medication overuse headache (MOH) is underestimated. Our aim was to address the cost-effectiveness of a structured treatment protocol and to present annual cost estimates. METHODS: Patients were enrolled on the occasion of a structured treatment protocol, were administered a research protocol addressing direct and indirect costs and were followed up for 3 months. RESULTS: Of 176 enrolled patients, 138 completed the study. The 3-month cost per patient fell from euro2989 to euro1160: the difference was euro696 per month for patients treated in the ward and euro466 for those treated in day-hospital; thus it takes 2-3 months to compensate for the protocol's cost. The per-person annual costs of MOH were euro10 533 (95% confidence interval euro8700-12 406): direct healthcare costs accounted for 44.8% and indirect costs for 51.5% of the total MOH cost. The annual MOH cost for Italy is estimated at euro13.5 billion (95% confidence interval euro11.1-15.9 billion). CONCLUSION: The cost of MOH around the period of a structured treatment protocol is much higher compared to previous estimates. Our protocol is cost-effective for reducing the economic burden of MOH.