The progression of Mr Wilhelm Walter’s
Parkinson’s disease can be divided into three stages according to severity of
the condition, complications and the costs involved. The first stage, which
lasted three years, produced good treatment results and Mr Walters was able to
continue working full-time. Costs per annum, during this phase, were
approximately Euro 2,614/GBP 2,091.
In the second, more advanced stage,
treatment became increasingly difficult.
Mr Walters grew less active and this significantly reduced his quality
of life. Yearly costs to manage the
disease increased ten-fold.
During the third stage, after DBS
treatment, Mr Walters improved considerably.
He began to function better in everyday tasks and his quality of life
was restored. He was able to return to full-time work following a period of
enforced part-time working due to the disease’s impact. The cost for the first year of this third
phase, which included the DBS operation itself and treatment adjustment, was
approximately Euro 36,930/GBP 29,545. In the following years, this fell to
roughly Euro 3,423/GBP 2,739 per annum.
(This report is based on a real life patient’s case
history, with some details being modified.)
