ABSTRACT
Objectives: Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is an inflammatory illness that impacts individuals of all ages. The cost of treating AD and the impact on the quality of life have not been well documented in the state of Nevada. This study seeks to fill this gap by identifying factors that impact the cost of AD in the state utilizing clinical and patient demographics. Methods: ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment was performed using a large hospital utilization database to examine the cost of AD in the state of Nevada across all hospital settings. Results: Several significant factors were associated with the overall cost of AD in Nevada, including hospital setting type (outpatient vs. inpatient), physician type, region, AD diagnosis level, and age (p < 0.05). Stratified analysis was performed by setting type. In the inpatient setting, region, diagnosis level, and records with age listed between 0 and 5 years remained significant (p < 0.05). In the outpatient setting, physician type, region, and African American race remained significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Data from this study indicate that the AD cost burden is dependent on both demographic and clinical factors in the state of Nevada. These differences suggest that patients with AD may encounter higher costs depending on age, race, and clinical factors.
Subject(s)
Cost of Illness , Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Drug Prescriptions/economics , Eczema/economics , Adult , Dermatitis, Atopic/diet therapy , Eczema/diet therapy , Female , Health Services/economics , Humans , Insurance, Health, Reimbursement/economics , Male , Middle Aged , NevadaSubject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Dermatitis, Atopic/therapy , Eczema/economics , Eczema/therapy , Financing, Personal , Adult , Female , France , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Eczema, which is synonymous with atopic eczema, is classified as a complex, chronic, and relapsing inflammatory skin condition, affecting both adults and children. However, there has not been any research into health-care expenditure to evaluate the medical cost of eczema from patients' perspective in Vietnam. This retrospective study aimed to fill in the gap concerning the medical cost of eczema treatment from patients' perspective. METHODS: Data from Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato Venereology's electronic medical database on demographics and drug therapy from June 2016 to May 2017 were collected. The patients who met the study's criteria were included in the study and were then categorized as mild, moderate, and severe according to received treatment level. Bootstrapping methods were used to evaluate average and emphasized the difference of cost burden adjusted by factors. RESULTS: A total of 6,212 patients (52.1% women and 85% urban residents) participated in the study; they were divided into three groups according to treatment stage: mild (n = 3,159, 50.9%), moderate (n = 599, 9.6%), and severe (n = 2,454, 39.5%). The evaluated total cost for the three groups was 5,255.82, 1,064.03, and 5,8154.60 US dollars, respectively; the average expenditure per patient per year was around $12.11 ($11.63-12.59). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the estimated direct medical cost of eczema treatment was much lower than that in the Western countries, mostly because of insurance coverage. The findings provide useful insights into health economic evaluations and treatment costs of eczema in Vietnam.
Subject(s)
Cost of Illness , Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Health Expenditures , Adolescent , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/economics , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Ambulatory Care/economics , Child , Child, Preschool , Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy , Drug Costs , Eczema/economics , Emollients/economics , Emollients/therapeutic use , Female , Hospitals, Public , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/economics , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Vietnam , Young AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Systemic treatment with alitretinoin is registered for all clinical types of severe chronic hand eczema. However, it is especially effective in the hyperkeratotic subtype and less effective in non-hyperkeratotic forms. Cyclosporine A (cyclosporine) is prescribed for hand eczema in daily practice as well. It has shown to be particularly effective in patients with vesicular hand eczema. The primary objective of this study is to compare efficacy of alitretinoin and cyclosporine in the treatment of severe recurrent vesicular hand eczema. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an investigator-initiated randomised prospective open-label trial with blinded outcome assessment. Severity assessments and laboratory measurements will be conducted corresponding to daily practice. The study population will consist of 72 adult patients (age 18-75 years) with severe recurrent vesicular hand eczema. Patients are treated with either (group I) alitretinoin 30 mg once daily or (group II) cyclosporine with a starting dose of 5 mg/kg/day and a decrease in dosage after 8 weeks to 3-3.5 mg/kg/day. The treatment period is 24 weeks for both drugs. Primary endpoint for efficacy is response to treatment, defined as an improvement of ≥2 steps on a Physician Global Assessment, using a validated Photoguide, after 24 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints are improvement of Hand Eczema Severity Index, Quality of Life in Hand Eczema Questionnaire and a Patient Global Assessment. Adverse events and time to response will be registered. Furthermore, cost-utility, quality-adjusted life years and cost-effectiveness will be assessed with the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire while monitoring costs. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethical Review Board of the University Medical Centre Groningen (reference METc 2015/375). The study will be conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, in accordance with the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03026946; Pre-results.
Subject(s)
Alitretinoin/therapeutic use , Cyclosporine/therapeutic use , Eczema/drug therapy , Hand Dermatoses/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Alitretinoin/adverse effects , Chronic Disease , Cyclosporine/adverse effects , Dermatologic Agents/therapeutic use , Eczema/economics , Female , Hand Dermatoses/economics , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Psychometrics , Quality of Life , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Severity of Illness Index , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eczema and asthma are chronic diseases with onset usually before the age of 5 years. More than 50% of individuals with eczema will develop asthma and/or other allergic diseases. Several loss-of-function mutations in filaggrin (FLG) have been identified in patients with eczema. However, the association of FLG with healthcare use is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether FLG mutations are associated with increased prescribing for eczema and asthma and whether increased prescribing is associated with increased healthcare costs. METHODS: A secondary analysis of BREATHE, a cross-sectional study of gene-environment associations with asthma severity, was undertaken. BREATHE data was collected for 1100 participants with asthma, in Tayside and Fife, Scotland during the period 2003-2005. Through collaboration with the Health Informatics Centre in Dundee, BREATHE was linked to accident and emergency, community prescribing and Scottish morbidity records. The data linkage allowed longitudinal exploration of associations between genetic variation and prescribing. RESULTS: An association was found between FLG mutations and increased prescribing for mild and moderate eczema, asthma-reliever medicine and asthma exacerbations. A strong association was found between FLG mutations and prescribing of emollients [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 2·19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·36-3·52], treatment for severe eczema (IRR 2·18, 95% CI 1·22-3·91) and a combination of a long-acting ß2 -agonist and corticosteroids (IRR 3·29, 95% CI 1·68-6·43). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of FLG mutations in this cohort is associated with increased prescribing for eczema and asthma. Randomized controlled trials are required to determine if these individuals could benefit from management strategies to reduce morbidity and treatment costs.
Subject(s)
Asthma/therapy , Chronic Disease/therapy , Eczema/therapy , Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data , Intermediate Filament Proteins/genetics , S100 Proteins/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/economics , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use , Asthma/economics , Asthma/genetics , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease/economics , Cross-Sectional Studies , DNA Mutational Analysis , Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Eczema/economics , Eczema/genetics , Emollients/economics , Emollients/therapeutic use , Female , Filaggrin Proteins , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Hospitalization/economics , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Loss of Function Mutation , Male , Prescription Drugs/economics , Prescription Drugs/therapeutic use , Scotland , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the usage and financial burden of emergency care visits for atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema (AD-E) in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and cost of emergency care for AD-E in the United States. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of the 2006-2012 National Emergency Department Sample, including a 20% sample of emergency department (ED) visits throughout the United States (n = 198,102,435). RESULTS: The mean annual incidence of ED visits with a primary diagnosis of AD-E was 3368.4-3553.0 cases/1 million persons. The prevalence of ED visits for AD-E increased significantly during 2006-2012 (survey logistic regression, P < .05). ED visits with a primary diagnosis of AD-E versus ED visits without were associated with younger patient age, Medicaid or no insurance, and lower household income quartile and more likely to occur during weekends and summer months. The geometric mean and total costs of ED visits for AD-E significantly increased from $369.07 and $127,275,080, respectively, in 2006 to $642.10 and $265,541,084, respectively, in 2012. LIMITATIONS: The National Emergency Department Sample did not include data on AD severity, recurrent ED visits, race/ethnicity, or treatments provided. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial and increasing financial burden of ED visits for AD-E in the United States. Interventions are needed to decrease ED visits for AD.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Eczema/economics , Emergency Service, Hospital/economics , Health Care Costs , Adolescent , Adult , After-Hours Care/statistics & numerical data , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Female , Health Care Costs/statistics & numerical data , Health Care Costs/trends , Humans , Income , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Medicaid/statistics & numerical data , Medically Uninsured/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Seasons , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Chronic diseases now represent a cost majority in the United States health care system. Contributing factors to rising costs include expensive novel and emerging therapies, under-treatment of disease, under-management of comorbidities, and patient dissatisfaction with care results. Critical to identifying replicable improvement methods is a reliable model to measure value. STUDY DESIGN: If we understand value within healthcare consumerism to be equal to a patient's health outcome improvement over costs associated with care (Value=Outcomes/Costs), we can use this equation to measure the improvement of value. METHODS: Research and literature show that patient activation-the skills and confidence that equip patients to become actively engaged in their health care-impact health outcomes, costs, and patient experience. Reaching patient activation through engagement methods including shared decision-making (SDM) lead to improved value of care received. The National Eczema Association (NEA) Shared Decision-Making Resource Center can be a transformative strategy to measure and evaluate value of health care interventions for eczema patients to advance a value-driven health care system in the United States. RESULTS: Through this Resource Center, NEA will measure patient value through their own perceptions using validated PRO instruments and other patient-generated health data. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of this data will reveal findings that can assist researchers in evaluating the impact this care framework on patient-perceived value across other chronic diseases.
Subject(s)
Eczema/economics , Eczema/therapy , Health Care Costs , Process Assessment, Health Care/economics , Quality Improvement/economics , Quality Indicators, Health Care/economics , Awards and Prizes , Chronic Disease , Clinical Decision-Making , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Decision Making , Decision Support Techniques , Eczema/diagnosis , Health Care Costs/standards , Humans , Models, Economic , Patient Participation/economics , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Process Assessment, Health Care/standards , Quality Improvement/standards , Quality Indicators, Health Care/standards , Stakeholder Participation , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Health utilities provide a universally applicable method for measuring the relative preferences or values of specific health states. Health economic studies use health utilities to estimate disease burden and the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Chronic hand eczema (CHE) affects many individuals and adversely affects work productivity. Health utilities for CHE from the perspective of healthcare professionals are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To assess health utilities for CHE from the perspectives of employees in the healthcare sector and affected patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with volunteers from the healthcare sector (n = 126) and patients (n = 32) was conducted to establish health utilities (ranging from 1 = perfect health to 0 = death) for mild and severe CHE. RESULTS: The median health utilities of the healthy volunteers derived with the time trade-off method were 0.97 (mean: 0.92) for mild CHE and 0.77 (mean: 0.75) for severe CHE. The median health utilities for mild and severe CHE from the perspective of affected patients were 0.98 (mean: 0.91) and 0.82 (mean: 0.77), respectively. Differences in health utilities between the two study groups were not significant. CONCLUSION: CHE constitutes a considerable burden from the perspective of healthcare employees. Effective control of CHE constitutes an important public health goal.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Occupational , Eczema , Hand Dermatoses , Health Care Sector , Health Status , Adult , Age Factors , Chronic Disease , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dermatitis, Occupational/economics , Eczema/economics , Female , Hand Dermatoses/economics , Health Services Needs and Demand/economics , Hospitals, University , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors , Visual Analog Scale , Young AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Previous trials have demonstrated reductions in atopic dermatitis (AD) incidence when healthy, high-risk, non-exclusively breastfed infants were fed until four months of age with 100% whey-based partially hydrolysed formula (PHF-W) versus standard cow's milk formula (CMF). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of this intervention in Singapore. METHODS: Modelling techniques were used to simulate, from birth to Month 30, the incidence and clinical/economic burden of AD in high-risk, non-exclusively breastfed infants fed with PHF-W or CMF for up to four months. Epidemiologic and clinical data were from a local comparative trial. Expert opinion informed AD treatment patterns and outcomes. Outcomes included reduction in AD risk, time spent with AD, days without AD flare, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and direct/indirect costs. Multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analysis was used to assess model parameter uncertainty. RESULTS: Over 30 months, with the use of PHF-W instead of CMF, the proportion of children who developed AD and the time spent with AD decreased by 16.0% (28.3% vs. 44.3%) and 6.4 months, respectively, while time without AD flare and QALYs increased by 14.9 days and 0.021 QALYs per patient, respectively. Estimated AD-related discounted costs per child for PHF-W and CMF were SGD 771 and SGD 1,309, respectively (net savings: SGD 538). PHF-W was less expensive and more effective than CMF for 73%, and cost less than SGD 50,000 per QALY for 87% of all multivariate simulations. CONCLUSION: Early short-term nutritional intervention with PHF-W instead of CMF may reduce AD incidence and costs for healthy, high-risk, non-exclusively breastfed infants in Singapore.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Dermatitis, Atopic/prevention & control , Infant Formula/chemistry , Infant Formula/economics , Milk Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Animals , Cattle , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Eczema/economics , Eczema/prevention & control , Humans , Hydrolysis , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Markov Chains , Milk , Models, Economic , Multivariate Analysis , Probability , Quality-Adjusted Life Years , Risk Factors , Risk Reduction Behavior , Singapore/epidemiology , Whey ProteinsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data on the burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults relative to the general population. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the AD burden in adult patients relative to both matched non-AD controls and matched patients with psoriasis in terms of comorbidities, health care resource utilization (HCRU), and costs. METHODS: Adults (≥18 years) who self-reported a diagnosis of AD or psoriasis and adult non-AD controls were identified from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey. Patients with AD were propensity score-matched with non-AD controls and patients with psoriasis on demographic variables. Patient-reported outcomes were analyzed between matched cohorts. RESULTS: Patients with AD had a significantly greater risk for atopic comorbidities, as well as significantly greater HCRU and total cost compared with non-AD controls. The burden of AD was generally comparable to that of psoriasis, although patients with AD reported increased use of emergency room visits compared with patients with psoriasis. LIMITATIONS: Patient-reported data are susceptible to recall bias and erroneous classification. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with AD reported a substantial disease burden, suggesting an unmet need for more effective AD treatment options.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Health Care Costs , Health Resources/economics , Health Resources/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Confidence Intervals , Cost of Illness , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Atopic/therapy , Eczema/diagnosis , Eczema/economics , Eczema/epidemiology , Eczema/therapy , Female , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Odds Ratio , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/economics , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Psoriasis/therapy , Reference Values , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
AIMS: To evaluate practice patterns in the management of cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and associated economic burden of disease on health service in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on experts' views on the practice patterns in management of CMPA manifesting with either proctocolitis or eczema symptoms and, thereby, aimed to estimate economic burden of CMPA. Practice patterns were determined via patient flow charts developed by experts using the modified Delphi method for CMPA presented with proctocolitis and eczema. Per patient total 2-year direct medical costs were calculated, including cost items of physician visits, laboratory tests, and treatment. RESULTS: According to the consensus opinion of experts, 2-year total direct medical cost from a payer perspective and societal perspective was calculated to be $US2,116.05 and $US2,435.84, respectively, in an infant with CMPA presenting with proctocolitis symptoms, and $US4,001.65 and $US4,828.90, respectively, in an infant with CMPA presenting with eczema symptoms. Clinical nutrition was the primary cost driver that accounted for 89-92% of 2-year total direct medical costs, while the highest total direct medical cost estimated from a payer perspective and societal perspective was noted for the management of an exclusively formula-fed infant presenting either with proctocolitis ($US3,743.85 and $US4,025.63, respectively) or eczema ($US6,854.10 and $US7,917.30, respectively). The first line use of amino acid based formula (AAF) was associated with total direct cost increment $US1,848.08 and $US3,444.52 in the case of proctocolitis and eczema, respectively. LIMITATIONS: Certain limitations to this study should be considered. First, being focused only on direct costs, the lack of data on indirect costs or intangible costs of illness seems to be a major limitation of the present study, which likely results in a downward bias in the estimates of the economic cost of CMPA. Second, given the limited number of studies concerning epidemiology and practice patterns in CMPA in Turkey, use of expert clinical opinion of the panel members rather than real-life data on practice patterns that were used to identify direct medical costs might raise a concern with the validity and reliability of the data. Also, while this was a three-step study with six experts included in the first stage (developing local guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of infants with CMPA in Turkey) and 410 pediatricians included in the second stage (a cross-sectional questionnaire-survey to determine pediatricians' awareness and practice of CMPA in infants and children), only four members were included in the present Delphi panel, which allows a limited discussion. Third, lack of sensitivity analyses and exclusion of indirect costs and costs related to alterations in quality of life, behavior of infants, and general well-being of infants and their parents from the cost-analysis seems to be another limitation that may have caused under-estimation of relative cost-effectiveness of the formulae. Fourth, calculation of costs per local guidelines rather than real-life practice patterns is another limitation that, otherwise, would extend the knowledge achieved in the current study. Notwithstanding these limitations, the present expert panel provided practice patterns in the management of CMPA and an estimate of the associated costs, depending on the symptom profile at initial admission for the first time in Turkey. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in providing the first health economic data on CMPA in Turkey, the findings revealed that CMPA imposes a substantial burden on the Turkish healthcare system from both a payer perspective and societal perspective, and indicated clinical nutrition as a primary cost driver. Management of infants presenting with eczema, exclusively formula-fed infants, and first line use of AAF were associated with higher estimates for 2-year direct medical costs.
Subject(s)
Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data , Milk Hypersensitivity/economics , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Cost of Illness , Cross-Sectional Studies , Delphi Technique , Eczema/economics , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant Formula/economics , Male , Milk Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Milk Hypersensitivity/therapy , Models, Econometric , Office Visits/economics , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Proctocolitis/economics , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , TurkeySubject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Drug Approval/economics , Eczema/drug therapy , Antibodies, Monoclonal/economics , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Eczema/economics , Humans , Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit/antagonists & inhibitors , Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit/genetics , United States , United States Food and Drug Administration/economicsABSTRACT
Eczema is a common long-term condition, but inadequate support and information can lead to poor adherence and treatment failure. We have reviewed the international literature of interventions designed to promote self-management in adults and children with eczema. MEDLINE, MEDLINE in process, Embase, CINAHL and the Global Resource for EczemA Trials database were searched from their inception to August 2016, for randomized controlled trials. Two authors independently applied eligibility criteria, assessed risk of bias for all included studies and extracted data. Twenty studies (3028 participants) conducted in 11 different countries were included. The majority (n = 18) were based in secondary care and most (n = 16) targeted children with eczema. Reporting of studies, including descriptions of the interventions and the outcomes themselves, was generally poor. Thirteen studies were face-to-face educational interventions, five were delivered online and two were studies of written action plans. Follow-up in most studies (n = 12) was short term (up to 12 weeks). Only six trials specified a single primary outcome. There was limited evidence of effectiveness. Only three studies collected and reported outcomes related to cost and just one study undertook any formal cost-effectiveness analysis. In summary, we have identified a general absence of well-conducted and well-reported randomized controlled trials with a strong theoretical basis. Therefore, there is still uncertainty about how best to support self-management of eczema in a clinically effective and cost-effective way. Recommendations on design and conduct of future trials are presented.
Subject(s)
Eczema/therapy , Self-Management/methods , Adult , Child , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Eczema/economics , Humans , Internet , Patient Education as Topic/economics , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Self-Management/education , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
To assess the patient-level and societal burden of atopic dermatitis, we comprehensively reviewed the literature related to quality of life, social, economic, academic, and occupational impacts. Atopic dermatitis has profound impacts on patient and family quality of life. A conservative estimate of the annual costs of atopic dermatitis in the United States is $5.297 billion (in 2015 USD). People with atopic dermatitis may change their occupation because of their skin disease. Research gaps include quality of life assessments outside of tertiary care centers, impacts on partners and families of adult patients, and updated comprehensive cost estimates.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Eczema/economics , Health Care Costs , Quality of Life , Adult , Child , Chronic Disease , Cost of Illness , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/psychology , Eczema/diagnosis , Eczema/epidemiology , Eczema/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Sickness Impact Profile , Societies, Medical , United StatesSubject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/economics , Dermatitis, Atopic/therapy , Health Care Costs , Medical Audit , Quality of Life , Adult , Age Factors , Child , Chronic Disease , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/psychology , Eczema/diagnosis , Eczema/economics , Eczema/psychology , Eczema/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Prevalence , Professional Practice Gaps , Qualitative Research , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors , Societies, Scientific , United StatesABSTRACT
The individual burden of disease in hand eczema patients is considerable. However, little is known about the socio-economic impact of this disease. The aims of this review were to evaluate the literature on cost-of-illness in hand eczema, and to compose a checklist for future use. The literature was retrieved from the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to October 2015. Quality evaluation was based on seven relevant items in cost-of-illness studies. Cost data (direct and indirect) were extracted and converted into euros (2014 price level) by use of the Dutch Consumer Price Index. Six articles were included. The mean annual total cost per patient ranged from 1311 [corrected] to 9792 (direct cost per patient, 521 to 3722; [corrected] and indirect cost per patient, 100 to 6846). Occupational hand eczema patients showed indirect costs up to 70% of total costs, mainly because of absenteeism. A large diversity in hand eczema severity was found between studies. The socio-economic burden of hand eczema is considerable, especially for more severe and/or occupational hand eczema. Absenteeism from paid work leads to a high total cost-of-illness, although disregard of presenteeism often leads to underestimation of indirect costs. Differences in included cost components, the occupational status of patients and hand eczema severity make international comparison difficult. A checklist was added to standardize the approach to cost-of-illness studies in hand eczema.
Subject(s)
Absenteeism , Dermatitis, Occupational/economics , Eczema/economics , Hand Dermatoses/economics , Presenteeism/economics , Cost of Illness , HumansABSTRACT
Disability pensions due to skin diseases in Swedish male construction workers were studied by linking data from pension registers and an occupational health service. Incidence rates of disability pensions for cement workers, painters and plumbers were compared with 2 control groups. A total of 623 disability pensions were granted during 4 decades of follow-up. The main diagnoses were eczema (36%) and psoriasis (49%). Pensions were mostly granted in the age range 55-64 years. Among painters, cement workers and plumbers the incidence rates for disability pensions were 33.3, 24.5 and 20.4 cases/100,000 person-years, respectively, compared with 13.7 and 9.2 cases/100,000 person-years in control groups. Relative risks were highest for eczema, and were notable for psoriasis. Attributable fractions for eczema were 90% in cement workers and painters and 75% in plumbers compared with control groups. Attributable fractions for psoriasis in the occupational groups studied were in the range 54-67%. In conclusion, eczema and psoriasis have a high impact on loss of work ability, as reflected by disability pensions.
Subject(s)
Construction Industry , Eczema/economics , Insurance, Disability , Occupational Diseases/economics , Occupational Health , Occupations , Pensions , Psoriasis/economics , Absenteeism , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Disability Evaluation , Eczema/diagnosis , Eczema/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Registries , Risk Factors , Sick Leave/economics , Sweden/epidemiology , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a multifaceted implementation strategy for the prevention of hand eczema in comparison with a control group among healthcare workers. A total of 48 departments (n=1,649) were randomly allocated to the implementation strategy or the control group. Data on hand eczema and costs were collected at baseline and every 3 months. Cost-effectiveness analyses were performed using linear multilevel analyses. The probability of the implementation strategy being cost-effective gradually increased with an increasing willingness-to-pay, to 0.84 at a ceiling ratio of 590,000 per person with hand eczema prevented (societal perspective). The implementation strategy appeared to be not cost-effective in comparison with the control group (societal perspective), nor was it cost-beneficial to the employer. However, this study had some methodological problems which should be taken into account when interpreting the results.
Subject(s)
Eczema/economics , Eczema/prevention & control , Hand Dermatoses/economics , Hand Dermatoses/prevention & control , Health Care Costs , Health Personnel/economics , Occupational Diseases/economics , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Occupational Health/economics , Preventive Health Services/economics , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Eczema/diagnosis , Eczema/etiology , Female , Hand Dermatoses/diagnosis , Hand Dermatoses/etiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Personnel/psychology , Humans , Inservice Training/economics , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Netherlands , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Pamphlets , Program Evaluation , Reminder Systems/economics , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eczema is common in children and in the UK most cases are managed in primary care. The foundation of all treatment is the regular use of leave-on emollients to preserve and restore moisture to the skin. This not only improves comfort but may also reduce the need for rescue treatment for 'flares', such as topical corticosteroids. However, clinicians can prescribe many different types of emollient and there is a paucity of evidence to guide this choice. One reason for this may be the challenges of conducting a clinical trial: are parents or carers of young children willing to be randomly allocated an emollient and followed up for a meaningful amount of time? DESIGN: This is a single-centre feasibility study of a pragmatic, four-arm, single-masked, randomized trial. Children with eczema who are eligible (from 1 month to less than 5 years of age, not known to be sensitive or allergic to any of study emollients or their constituents) are recruited via their general practices. Participants are allocated Aveeno® lotion, Diprobase® cream, Doublebase® gel or Hydromol® ointment via a web-based system, using a simple randomization process in a 1:1:1:1 fashion. Researchers are masked to the study emollient. Participants are assessed at baseline and followed up for 3 months. Data are collected by daily diaries, monthly researcher visits and review of electronic medical records. Because this is a feasibility study, a formal sample size calculation for the estimation of treatment effectiveness has not be made but we aim to recruit 160 participants. DISCUSSION: Recruitment is on-going. At the end of the study, as well as being able to answer the question, 'Is it is possible to recruit and retain children with eczema from primary care into a four-arm randomized trial of emollients?', we will also have collected important data on the acceptability and effectiveness of four commonly used emollients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN21828118 and Clinical Trials Register EudraCT2013-003001-26.
Subject(s)
Eczema/drug therapy , Emollients/administration & dosage , Skin/drug effects , Administration, Cutaneous , Child, Preschool , Clinical Protocols , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Drug Costs , Eczema/diagnosis , Eczema/economics , Emollients/adverse effects , Emollients/economics , England , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Ointments , Patient Selection , Primary Health Care , Research Design , Single-Blind Method , Skin/pathology , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
IMPORTANCE: Little is known about the health burden of adult eczema in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To study the out-of-pocket costs, health care access and utilization in adult eczema in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Two US population-based studies, the 2010 and 2012 National Health Interview Surveys, surveyed 27â¯157 and 34â¯613 adults (ages 18-85 years). EXPOSURES: History of eczema. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The out-of-pocket costs, lost workdays, days in bed, and access to care. RESULTS: Adults with eczema had $371 to $489 higher out-of-pocket costs per person-year compared with those without eczema, with higher odds of increased out-of-pocket costs (survey multinomial logistic regression, adjusted odds ratios [ORs] [95% CIs] for NHIS 2012, <$1 to 499: OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05-1.54; $500 to $1999: OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.22-1.81; $2000-$2999: OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.36-2.21; $3000-$4999: OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.56-2.73; ≥$5000: OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.34-2.27; P < .001). Adults with eczema were significantly more likely to have at least 6 lost workdays from all causes (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.26-1.84), 1 to 2 half-days (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14-1.51); 3 to 5 half-days (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.54-2.20), and at least 6 half-days (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.92-2.62) in bed and increased health care utilization with more physician visits (1-3 visits: OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.40-2.07; 4-9 visits: OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 2.00-3.00; and ≥10 visits: OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.69-4.12), urgent or emergency care visits (1-3 visits: OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.29-1.66; 4-9 visits: OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.27-2.57; and ≥10 visits: OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.19-4.99) and hospitalizations (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.17-1.60). Adults with eczema had significantly limited access to care with inability to afford prescription medications (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.92-2.81), were unable to get an appointment soon enough (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.73-2.41), had to wait too long to see a physician (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.28-1.97), had delayed care (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.49-2.01), and were not able to get care (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.40-1.97) because of worry about the related costs. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates a large health burden of eczema in adults and suggests substantial out-of-pocket costs, indirect costs from lost workdays and sick days, and increased health care utilization.