Quantifying the Societal Burden of Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Results From a Patient Survey
Author(s)
ANGELA M. ARTEAGA, MD.
Consultant, HEOR Value Hub, Lanaken, Belgium.
Consultant, HEOR Value Hub, Lanaken, Belgium.
OBJECTIVES: To quantify the societal impact of Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) from the perspective of patients, focusing on productivity losses and informal care needs during the active infection and following AK resolution.
METHODS: An online survey was conducted among members of a Dutch-Belgian AK patient association, collecting data on occupational disability, absenteeism, presenteeism and daily hours of informal care required. Patients were asked to report their level of visual function after resolution, categorized as good vision (GV), poor vision (PV), severe vision loss (SVL), or complete loss of eye functionality (LEF). To strengthen the reliability of the estimates, respondents were asked to provide societal burden inputs for their own and other hypothetical visual function categories. The contribution of photophobia and psychological burden to productivity losses and informal care needs was assessed based on each respondent’s personal experience.
RESULTS: Fourteen patients responded to questions regarding the active AK infection period. Reported absenteeism was 92.9% during the intensive treatment phase and 88.7% during the maintenance phase. Among those still working, presenteeism was 40.0% and 55.0% for the intensive and maintenance phases, respectively. Informal care averaged 7.4 hours/day. Thirteen patients completed the section on the post-AK resolution period. Occupational disability was reported in 66.9% of patients with SVL and 70.8% of those with LEF. Absenteeism was 72.3% in both groups, while presenteeism was 63.3% in SVL and 41.5% in LEF. Informal care in these patients averaged 6.2 hours/day. Photophobia and depression were key contributors to ongoing burden. Respondents with GV or PV reported substantially lower impacts, although some still experienced photophobia and depression.
CONCLUSIONS: AK imposes a substantial societal burden during and after the resolution of the infection, especially in patients with SVL and LEF. Photophobia and depression further amplify this burden, underscoring the need for timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and psychosocial support for patients.
METHODS: An online survey was conducted among members of a Dutch-Belgian AK patient association, collecting data on occupational disability, absenteeism, presenteeism and daily hours of informal care required. Patients were asked to report their level of visual function after resolution, categorized as good vision (GV), poor vision (PV), severe vision loss (SVL), or complete loss of eye functionality (LEF). To strengthen the reliability of the estimates, respondents were asked to provide societal burden inputs for their own and other hypothetical visual function categories. The contribution of photophobia and psychological burden to productivity losses and informal care needs was assessed based on each respondent’s personal experience.
RESULTS: Fourteen patients responded to questions regarding the active AK infection period. Reported absenteeism was 92.9% during the intensive treatment phase and 88.7% during the maintenance phase. Among those still working, presenteeism was 40.0% and 55.0% for the intensive and maintenance phases, respectively. Informal care averaged 7.4 hours/day. Thirteen patients completed the section on the post-AK resolution period. Occupational disability was reported in 66.9% of patients with SVL and 70.8% of those with LEF. Absenteeism was 72.3% in both groups, while presenteeism was 63.3% in SVL and 41.5% in LEF. Informal care in these patients averaged 6.2 hours/day. Photophobia and depression were key contributors to ongoing burden. Respondents with GV or PV reported substantially lower impacts, although some still experienced photophobia and depression.
CONCLUSIONS: AK imposes a substantial societal burden during and after the resolution of the infection, especially in patients with SVL and LEF. Photophobia and depression further amplify this burden, underscoring the need for timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and psychosocial support for patients.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
PCR204
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Patient-Centered Research, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine), Rare & Orphan Diseases, Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)