The impact of psoriasis on health care costs and patient work loss

Background

There are few comprehensive estimates of the cost of psoriasis in the United States.

Objective

We sought to quantify the incremental direct medical and indirect work loss costs associated with psoriasis.

Methods

A de-identified claims database from 31 self-insured employers during the period 1998 to 2005 was used. Patients with at least two psoriasis diagnosis claims (N = 12,280) were compared with 3 control subjects (matched on year of birth and sex) without psoriasis. Multivariate two-part regression analysis was used to isolate the incremental cost of psoriasis by controlling for comorbidities and other confounding factors.

Results

After multivariate adjustment, the incremental direct and indirect costs of psoriasis were approximately $900 and $600 (P < .001) per patient per year, respectively.

Limitations

The database used in this study does not contain information on patient out-of-pocket costs or loss of productivity costs at work.

Conclusion

The incremental cost of psoriasis is approximately $1500 per patient per year, with work loss costs accounting for 40% of the cost burden.

Abbreviations used: HMO, health maintenance organization, OTC, over the counter, PPPM, per patient per month