The Cost of Atopic Dermatitis in Romania Across Different Levels of Employment and Education

OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease that poses an economic burden to patients. To quantify this burden, cost of illness (CoI) studies, representing important tools for advocacy and policymaking efforts, are used to measure different types of costs caused by AD (such as direct medical and non-medical or indirect). To date, this is the first CoI conducted on atopic dermatitis in Romania.

METHODS: We collected data using an online survey that was disseminated at the national level using social media. We calculated a bottom-up CoI study, using only primary collected costs inquired during the past 12 months (out-of-pocket costs – OOPs, such as costs for treatment and medical services, as well as associated expenses – transportation, hotel, and others) to provide the costs supported by the patient, without taking into account treatment options that could be partially or totally discounted. In addition to costs, we analyzed education and employment.

RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 396 patients with AD. In terms of employment status: 79.3% employed full-time, 7.8% employed part-time, and 12.9 % other employment option; and in terms of highest education level: 60.6% university, 30.1% high school, 6.81% post-secondary school, 2% primary school, and 0.5% middle school. The average highest costs for treatments (141.3 EUR), medical services (180.8 EUR), and associated expenses (98.1 EUR) were inquired by patients working part-time, while slightly lower costs were incurred by patients listing other employment option (highest difference being for associated costs – 40.9 EUR). Regarding education level, the highest average cost was for treatment (211 EUR) among those with primary school as the highest education level.

CONCLUSIONS: Our CoI shows that AD patients working part-time and those with primary school as the last level of education have the highest share of OOPs. Policy measures should address these inequalities.