Out-of-Pocket Costs in Alopecia Areata:A Cross-Sectional Study in German-speaking Countries
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Out-of-Pocket Costs in Alopecia Areata:A Cross-Sectional Study in German-speaking Countries. / Kullab, Johaina; Schielein, Maximilian C; Stuhlmann, Caroline F Z; Tizek, Linda; Wecker, Hannah; Kain, Alphina; Biedermann, Tilo; Zink, Alexander.
In: ACTA DERM-VENEREOL, Vol. 103, 04.01.2023, p. adv00838.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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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 -