Background: Data regarding costs of outpatient and office-based care, as well as out-of-pocket expenses, for psoriasis patients in Germany are not available. Aim of this study was to assess average annual cost and cost per flare of outpatient and office-based care for patients with moderate to severe chronic psoriasis vulgaris from several perspectives.
Methods: In this multi-center, cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective cost-of-illness study, direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect costs were considered from patient, third-party payer (TPP) and societal perspectives.
Results: Out of 227 patients enrolled consecutively in 17 centers, 192 cases could be analyzed. On average, TPP reimbursed 864 per patient annually, 60 % for prescribed medication and 22 % for hospitalization. Patients spent 596 yearly mainly for alternative therapies and OTC-medication/skin care products as well as for additional expenses (e. g. ultraviolet lamp, clothes or cleaning agents). Indirect costs per patient amounted to 1,440 yearly. Total annual costs per patient were 2,866 and 4,985 if treated with systemic drugs additionally. 1,173 if treated topically and/or with phototherapy.
Conclusions: The relatively high average annual costs per patient indicate need for efficient control of psoriasis. This cost-of-illness study provides basic data for further decision making, including economic assessment of innovative therapies for psoriasis.