Economic burden and productivity loss related to eczema: A prevalence-based follow-up study in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE: Eczema, a chronic dermatologic disease, has been recognized as an economic burden in publications all over the word but only minimally as such in Vietnam. The aim of this prospective study was to quantify the financial hardships and impairments suffered by eczema patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional prevalence-based study involved 136 patients, whose conditions were classified into three severity levels on the basis of the medications that they were prescribed. Prescription therapy was administered for a month, after which there was patient-oriented assessment of effectiveness. The work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) questionnaire was used to evaluate productivity loss, which was expressed in percentage form. Bootstrapping was conducted to determine continuous variables and demographybased differences in cost values among the patient groups. RESULTS: For the month-long treatment, each eczema patient needed an average of US$68.1 (range: US$56.2- US$81.5) with the highest proportion being spent on cosmetic treatments. There is noticeable difference between groups among which patients' symptoms demonstrated in distinct levels. The estimates indicated that eczema resulted in 27.8% and 23.1% impairments in work and daily activities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The aggravation of disease symptoms can increase the direct costs borne by eczema patients. A decrease in productivity, which is one of the most serious consequences of the condition, should be paid adequate attention to minimize burdens to society.