What is the margin of error for the economic costs?
The costs which were used in this study were approximated using data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) and Manitoba Study of Health and Aging (MSHA)1 and Hollander et al. (2002)2. Unfortunately, these studies provided only Canadian cost estimates dating as far back as 1991. As a result (in the absence of any other information), the present as well as future costs were computed using inflation assumptions only. In general, such costs would depend on a number of other variables, none of which were known or considered in the present study. As a consequence of this, the reliable estimation of any errors which may be associated with the economic indicators is not possible. Instead of a direct estimation of error, the assumptions used are evidence based and each step in the process has involved careful vetting by subject experts who have determined their validity. The overall findings of the Base Case has also been checked and approved for reasonableness by subject experts.
