Determinants of costs and benefits in atopic dermatitis routine care in Germany

TY - JOUR

T1 - Determinants of costs and benefits in atopic dermatitis routine care in Germany

AU - Mohr, Nicole

AU - Augustin, Matthias

AU - Zeervi, Lana

AU - Bieber, Thomas

AU - Werfel, Thomas

AU - Wollenberg, Andreas

AU - Langenbruch, Anna

PY - 2022/9

Y1 - 2022/9

N2 - Background and objectivesThe economic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) is of particular interest. The present study aims to analyse the association of disease-related characteristics, annual costs and treatment benefits in AD.MethodsBetween August 2017 and June 2019, a cross-sectional observational study in patients with AD was conducted in Germany. Cost-of-illness data were assessed from the societal perspective. Disease characteristics included severity, time since diagnosis and therapy, as well as atopic comorbidity and the implementation of prevention measures. Subgroup analyses of the total costs were conducted for these characteristics. A linear regression model was applied to analyse the impact of disease characteristics on the costs. Furthermore, associations of biologic treatment with outcome parameters were analysed.ResultsA total of 1291 patients from 111 centres were included in the analyses. The total costs amounted on average to € 3660 ± € 6428 per patient and year. Higher costs were shown in various patient groups, for example, in patients using biologics (€ 20 983 vs. € 2470). In a regression analysis, gender, education and the number of implemented prevention measures were identified as significant predictors of costs. Patients treated with biologics showed consistently better outcome parameters and were more often satisfied with their treatment.ConclusionsGender, education and implemented prevention measures are significant cost determinants in AD. The results confirm that treatment with biologics is the main cost driver in AD. However, incremental patient-relevant benefits of high-priced therapy are reflected by the significantly better clinical outcomes in the group treated with biologics.

AB - Background and objectivesThe economic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) is of particular interest. The present study aims to analyse the association of disease-related characteristics, annual costs and treatment benefits in AD.MethodsBetween August 2017 and June 2019, a cross-sectional observational study in patients with AD was conducted in Germany. Cost-of-illness data were assessed from the societal perspective. Disease characteristics included severity, time since diagnosis and therapy, as well as atopic comorbidity and the implementation of prevention measures. Subgroup analyses of the total costs were conducted for these characteristics. A linear regression model was applied to analyse the impact of disease characteristics on the costs. Furthermore, associations of biologic treatment with outcome parameters were analysed.ResultsA total of 1291 patients from 111 centres were included in the analyses. The total costs amounted on average to € 3660 ± € 6428 per patient and year. Higher costs were shown in various patient groups, for example, in patients using biologics (€ 20 983 vs. € 2470). In a regression analysis, gender, education and the number of implemented prevention measures were identified as significant predictors of costs. Patients treated with biologics showed consistently better outcome parameters and were more often satisfied with their treatment.ConclusionsGender, education and implemented prevention measures are significant cost determinants in AD. The results confirm that treatment with biologics is the main cost driver in AD. However, incremental patient-relevant benefits of high-priced therapy are reflected by the significantly better clinical outcomes in the group treated with biologics.

U2 - 10.1111/jdv.18169

DO - 10.1111/jdv.18169

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

VL - 36

SP - 1450

EP - 1455

JO - J EUR ACAD DERMATOL

JF - J EUR ACAD DERMATOL

SN - 0926-9959

IS - 9

ER -