Out-of-Pocket Costs in Alopecia Areata:A Cross-Sectional Study in German-speaking Countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Out-of-Pocket Costs in Alopecia Areata:A Cross-Sectional Study in German-speaking Countries

AU - Kullab, Johaina

AU - Schielein, Maximilian C

AU - Stuhlmann, Caroline F Z

AU - Tizek, Linda

AU - Wecker, Hannah

AU - Kain, Alphina

AU - Biedermann, Tilo

AU - Zink, Alexander

PY - 2023/1/4

Y1 - 2023/1/4

N2 - Alopecia areata is a common skin disease which is associated with psychosocial and financial burden. No curative therapy exists and, hence, affected persons resort to self-financed cosmetic solutions. However, studies on the economic impact of alopecia areata on individuals are limited. To estimate annual individual out-of-pocket costs in persons with alopecia areata, a cross-sectional study using a standardized online questionnaire was performed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A total of 346 individuals (95.1% women, mean age: 38.5 ± 11.6 years) with alopecia areata participated between April and August 2020. Mean additional spending on everyday necessities was 1,248€ per person per year, which was significantly influenced by the duration of the illness, the treatment provider, and disease severity. Hair replacement products and cosmetics accounted for the highest monthly costs, followed by costs for physician visits, hospital treatments, and medication. Most participants (n = 255, 73.7%) were currently not undergoing treatment, due to lack of efficacy, side-effects, costs and acceptance of the disease. Sex differences in expenses were observed, with women having higher expenditures. Alopecia areata-related out-of-pocket costs place a considerable financial burden on affected individuals, are higher compared with those of other chronic diseases, and should be considered in economic assessments of the impact of this disease.

AB - Alopecia areata is a common skin disease which is associated with psychosocial and financial burden. No curative therapy exists and, hence, affected persons resort to self-financed cosmetic solutions. However, studies on the economic impact of alopecia areata on individuals are limited. To estimate annual individual out-of-pocket costs in persons with alopecia areata, a cross-sectional study using a standardized online questionnaire was performed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A total of 346 individuals (95.1% women, mean age: 38.5 ± 11.6 years) with alopecia areata participated between April and August 2020. Mean additional spending on everyday necessities was 1,248€ per person per year, which was significantly influenced by the duration of the illness, the treatment provider, and disease severity. Hair replacement products and cosmetics accounted for the highest monthly costs, followed by costs for physician visits, hospital treatments, and medication. Most participants (n = 255, 73.7%) were currently not undergoing treatment, due to lack of efficacy, side-effects, costs and acceptance of the disease. Sex differences in expenses were observed, with women having higher expenditures. Alopecia areata-related out-of-pocket costs place a considerable financial burden on affected individuals, are higher compared with those of other chronic diseases, and should be considered in economic assessments of the impact of this disease.

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Adult

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Alopecia Areata/diagnosis

KW - Health Expenditures

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

U2 - 10.2340/actadv.v103.4441

DO - 10.2340/actadv.v103.4441

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 36598280

VL - 103

SP - adv00838

JO - ACTA DERM-VENEREOL

JF - ACTA DERM-VENEREOL

SN - 0001-5555

ER -