Cost of Stroke in Ireland: Estimating the Annual Economic Cost of Stroke and TIA in Ireland

This paper estimates the economic burden of stroke and transient cerebral ischaemic attacks (TIA) in Ireland in 2007. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability and the economic costs are expected to be high. Data are drawn from the Irish National Audit of Stroke Care, hospital in-patient records and other sources. Total direct stroke costs are estimated to account for approx. 2-4% of total health expenditure. Sensitivity analysis examines the impact on total costs of alternative estimates of cost and epidemiological parameters. The impact of demographic change on future stroke costs are estimated and the implications of changes to stroke service provision are also examined.