Out-of-pocket costs for individuals with atopic Eczema: A cross-sectional study in nine European countries

Abstract

Atopic eczema is one of the most common non-com-municable inflammatory skin diseases, and has a huge socioeconomic impact. Studies on the everyday economic impact of atopic eczema on patients, however, are limited. To estimate the annual extra out-of-pocket spending due to atopic eczema among patients in Europe, a cross-sectional study using computer-assisted phone interviewing of patients with atopic eczema was performed in 9 European countries. A total of 1,189 patients (56% women) with atopic eczema, who were either eligible for, or on, systemic treatment, participated in the study between October 2017 and March 2018. Mean extra spending on everyday necessities was €927 per patient per year for healthcare expenses, and this figure was slightly, but not statistically significantly, influenced by the severity of atopic eczema. Emollients and moisturizers accounted for the highest monthly costs, followed by medication that was not reimbursed, doctors’ and hospital costs. Atopic eczema-related out-of-pocket costs pose a substantial burden for affected individuals, are higher than in other chronic diseases, and should always be included in economic assessments of the impact of this disease.