Given the introduction of new therapies targeting specific immune pathways for atopic dermatitis (AD), information on the economic burden of AD patients is needed. Direct costs (medication use and healthcare resource utilization) and costs of productivity loss were studied in 90 adult patients with AD indicated for systemic treatment. Costs were calculated for patients with controlled (Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) 0-2) and uncontrolled (IGA 3-5) disease at inclusion. Mean (95% confidence interval (95% CI)) total direct costs were €5,191 (€4,382-6,019) per patient per year (PPY), €4,401 (€3,695-5,215) for patients with controlled AD vs. €6,993 (€5,552-8,406), mean difference €2,593 (€820-4,282) (p=0.014) for patients with uncontrolled AD. Costs of productivity loss were €10,040 (€6,260-14,012) PPY for the total group, €6,886 (€4,188-10,129) PPY for patients with controlled AD vs. €13,702 (€6,124-22,996) for patients with uncontrolled AD, mean difference €6,816 (-€1,638-16,677; p=0.148). Total costs (direct costs+costs of productivity loss) were €15,231 (€11,487-19,455) PPY for the total group, €11,287 (€7,974-15,436) for patients with controlled AD vs. €20,695 (€14,068-34,564), mean difference €9,408 (-€119-19,964) (p=0.077) for patients with uncontrolled AD. Patients with AD using systemic immunosuppressive treatment incur considerable direct costs and costs of productivity loss.
Keywords: health economics; systemic treatment; atopic dermatitis.