The earlier the genetic disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is diagnosed, the lower the cost of its treatment. Such a claim is being made in a research. The muscles of children suffering from this disease are weak. In a recent study, researchers found that early detection and treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in children can be cost-effective. It is a genetic disease, in which the muscles become weak and gradually they begin to wear down.
Analysis of Data of 149 Patients
The findings of this research have been published in the journal Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, DMCN. During the study, researchers analyzed data from 149 patients with SMA. Of these, 93 were those who were not treated and 42 were treated after symptoms appeared. There were 14 such who were treated after investigation at the beginning itself. Medicines cost more to treat this disease.
The Cost of Treatment is Dependent on The Time of Diagnosis of The Disease.
A new research has claimed that the sooner the genetic disease 'SMA' is identified, the less it will cost in its treatment. In such a situation, the expenditure on the patients who did not get proper treatment, was also less. However, it is more cost-effective to diagnose the disease early in childhood than to begin treatment after the development of symptoms. "These figures are important because they are related to practical life," said senior study author Lawrence Servais, from the University of Lige (Belgium) and the University of Oxford (UK). The SMA test of a newborn can not only improve his future, but also reduce the burden on the pocket of his parents. This will be a big relief for the common people.
