Cost Comparison of Symptom Treatment in Atopic Dermatitis Using Upadacitinib and Dupilumab in Poland
Author(s)
Sebastian Strachota, MSc, Pawel Ksiazek, MSc, Karolina Dziadek, MSc, Cezary Pruszko, MSc.
MAHTA Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland.
MAHTA Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland.
OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe itching and rashes. Although dupilumab has become the most commonly used therapy for severe AD in Poland, achieving satisfactory treatment outcomes remains challenging. Upadacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated greater efficacy than dupilumab in randomized clinical trials. This study aims to compare the costs of achieving symptom resolution in AD using upadacitinib versus dupilumab in Poland.
METHODS: Drug costs were sourced from public hospital tenders. Efficacy data were derived from the Level Up study at week 16, which also constitutes the decision point for continuation of therapy in Polish clinical practice. EASI 100 (100% reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index), indicating complete clearance of skin lesions, was the primary endpoint for estimating symptom treatment costs in AD patients aged 12 years and older.
RESULTS: The cost of a 16-week therapy with dupilumab and upadacitinib is PLN 15,807.98 and PLN 11,612.92, respectively. However, the cost of achieving EASI 100 per patient after 16 weeks is PLN 282,285.32 for dupilumab and PLN 78,465.71 for upadacitinib. This indicates that the cost of reaching complete skin clearance for one patient on dupilumab could cover the treatment of 3.6 patients receiving upadacitinib who also attain EASI 100. In 2024, an estimated 27 patients achieved complete skin clearance following 16 weeks of dupilumab therapy, at a total drug cost of PLN 7.5 million. The same outcome (27 patients reaching EASI 100) could have been achieved using upadacitinib at a cost of PLN 2.1 million, yielding potential savings of PLN 5.4 million.
CONCLUSIONS: Upadacitinib demonstrated significantly higher efficacy than dupilumab in achieving key treatment outcomes in atopic dermatitis. Consequently, initiating upadacitinib therapy instead of dupilumab in a larger number of patients could result in significant savings for the healthcare system in Poland.
METHODS: Drug costs were sourced from public hospital tenders. Efficacy data were derived from the Level Up study at week 16, which also constitutes the decision point for continuation of therapy in Polish clinical practice. EASI 100 (100% reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index), indicating complete clearance of skin lesions, was the primary endpoint for estimating symptom treatment costs in AD patients aged 12 years and older.
RESULTS: The cost of a 16-week therapy with dupilumab and upadacitinib is PLN 15,807.98 and PLN 11,612.92, respectively. However, the cost of achieving EASI 100 per patient after 16 weeks is PLN 282,285.32 for dupilumab and PLN 78,465.71 for upadacitinib. This indicates that the cost of reaching complete skin clearance for one patient on dupilumab could cover the treatment of 3.6 patients receiving upadacitinib who also attain EASI 100. In 2024, an estimated 27 patients achieved complete skin clearance following 16 weeks of dupilumab therapy, at a total drug cost of PLN 7.5 million. The same outcome (27 patients reaching EASI 100) could have been achieved using upadacitinib at a cost of PLN 2.1 million, yielding potential savings of PLN 5.4 million.
CONCLUSIONS: Upadacitinib demonstrated significantly higher efficacy than dupilumab in achieving key treatment outcomes in atopic dermatitis. Consequently, initiating upadacitinib therapy instead of dupilumab in a larger number of patients could result in significant savings for the healthcare system in Poland.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE159
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Budget Impact Analysis
Disease
Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)