Impact Of Dupilumab Treatment on Work-Related Medical Leave In Patients With Atopic Dermatitis in a Colombian Health Insurance Provider: An Observational Real-World Practice Study
Author(s)
Jhon E. Bolaños, MD, MSc1, Carlos Bello, MSc1, Luz Eugenia Perez Jaramillo, MD, MSc1, Farley Gonzalez, MD, MSc1, Sergio Londono, MPH2, YURI MARCELA TORRES, MSc2, Alejandra Toro, MD3.
1Centro de Biociencias, Seguros SURA Colombia, Medellin, Colombia, 2Sanofi Aventis, Bogota, Colombia, 3Centro de Biociencias, Seguros SURA Colombia, Medellín, Colombia.
1Centro de Biociencias, Seguros SURA Colombia, Medellin, Colombia, 2Sanofi Aventis, Bogota, Colombia, 3Centro de Biociencias, Seguros SURA Colombia, Medellín, Colombia.
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of dupilumab treatment on work productivity in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients with atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab, affiliated with a Colombian health insurance provider between 2018 and 2023. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including clinical and sociodemographic variables, as well as work-related medical leave (WRML). WRML was prescribed exclusively due to the diagnosis of AD. We analyzed 52-week pre- and post-treatment periods, including patients previously receiving WRML. Changes in WRML were evaluated using McNemar’s test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 379 patients were included, 51.72% of whom were female, with a median age of 28 years (IQR:22-37). The most common comorbidities were allergic rhinitis (33.77%) and asthma (18.73%). Comparative analysis of WRML showed at baseline, 7.12% of patients (n=27) experienced at least one episode of WRML, decreasing to 1.32% (n=5) during follow-up. This difference was statistically significant (p< 0.0001). In the subgroup of patients with WRML at baseline (n=27), only 7.41% had recurrent leave during follow-up, also representing a statistically significant reduction (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab significantly reduced the proportion of AD patients requiring WRML, including those with prior disability. The observed increase in WRML duration likely reflects isolated severe cases rather than a general trend. These findings support dupilumab’s real-world value in improving and reducing work-related burden.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients with atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab, affiliated with a Colombian health insurance provider between 2018 and 2023. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including clinical and sociodemographic variables, as well as work-related medical leave (WRML). WRML was prescribed exclusively due to the diagnosis of AD. We analyzed 52-week pre- and post-treatment periods, including patients previously receiving WRML. Changes in WRML were evaluated using McNemar’s test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 379 patients were included, 51.72% of whom were female, with a median age of 28 years (IQR:22-37). The most common comorbidities were allergic rhinitis (33.77%) and asthma (18.73%). Comparative analysis of WRML showed at baseline, 7.12% of patients (n=27) experienced at least one episode of WRML, decreasing to 1.32% (n=5) during follow-up. This difference was statistically significant (p< 0.0001). In the subgroup of patients with WRML at baseline (n=27), only 7.41% had recurrent leave during follow-up, also representing a statistically significant reduction (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab significantly reduced the proportion of AD patients requiring WRML, including those with prior disability. The observed increase in WRML duration likely reflects isolated severe cases rather than a general trend. These findings support dupilumab’s real-world value in improving and reducing work-related burden.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE531
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Epidemiology & Public Health, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies, Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs
Disease
Biologics & Biosimilars, No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas