Cost-Saving Outcomes of Biologic Therapy Optimization in Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases
Author(s)
Angela Maria Londoño, Dermatologist, Carolina Bedoya, MD, Juliana Madrigal Cadavid, MSc, Alejandra Rendon, MSc, Ana Maria Hincapie, Information Systems Manager, Jorge Ivan Estrada, MSc. PhD Candidate.
Helpharma, Medellin, Colombia.
Helpharma, Medellin, Colombia.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the economic outcomes resulting from the implementation of a biological therapy optimization strategy in patients with immune-mediated skin diseases
METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a cohort of patients diagnosed with immune-mediated dermatological conditions who received biological therapies in 2024 at a specialized healthcare institution. Based on each patient's clinical evolution, optimization, and rational use strategies for biological treatment were applied. Subsequently, clinical safety and the economic impact of the implemented interventions were evaluated. Univariate statistical analysis was performed using the R software package (R Core Team, version 4.2, 2022).
RESULTS: The optimization strategy was applied to 551 patients, representing 7.9% of the total population treated (n=6962). Of these, 48.3% were women with a mean age of 46 years (SD = 18.4). The most frequent diagnoses were psoriasis (32.5%), urticaria (32.3%), atopic dermatitis (24.7%), and hidradenitis suppurativa (10.5%). The most used biological agents were omalizumab (32.1%), dupilumab (23.6%), adalimumab (20.15%), guselkumab (6.7%), and other biologics (14.0%). The main optimization strategies included extended dosing intervals (52.5%), complete discontinuation of biological therapy (23.6%), prevention of treatment initiation (15.1%), dose adjustment (5.4%), and switching to biosimilars (3.4%). All interventions resulted in adequate clinical responses. The most frequent measures were extended dosing intervals for dupilumab (16.5%) and omalizumab (12.5%), as well as the complete discontinuation of omalizumab (10.7%). The comprehensive implementation of these strategies resulted in an estimated total cost savings of USD 1,344,980
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of biological therapy optimization and rational use strategies in the management of immune-mediated dermatological diseases proved to be safe and clinically effective. Additionally, it demonstrated a favorable economic impact, significantly contributing to the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.
METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a cohort of patients diagnosed with immune-mediated dermatological conditions who received biological therapies in 2024 at a specialized healthcare institution. Based on each patient's clinical evolution, optimization, and rational use strategies for biological treatment were applied. Subsequently, clinical safety and the economic impact of the implemented interventions were evaluated. Univariate statistical analysis was performed using the R software package (R Core Team, version 4.2, 2022).
RESULTS: The optimization strategy was applied to 551 patients, representing 7.9% of the total population treated (n=6962). Of these, 48.3% were women with a mean age of 46 years (SD = 18.4). The most frequent diagnoses were psoriasis (32.5%), urticaria (32.3%), atopic dermatitis (24.7%), and hidradenitis suppurativa (10.5%). The most used biological agents were omalizumab (32.1%), dupilumab (23.6%), adalimumab (20.15%), guselkumab (6.7%), and other biologics (14.0%). The main optimization strategies included extended dosing intervals (52.5%), complete discontinuation of biological therapy (23.6%), prevention of treatment initiation (15.1%), dose adjustment (5.4%), and switching to biosimilars (3.4%). All interventions resulted in adequate clinical responses. The most frequent measures were extended dosing intervals for dupilumab (16.5%) and omalizumab (12.5%), as well as the complete discontinuation of omalizumab (10.7%). The comprehensive implementation of these strategies resulted in an estimated total cost savings of USD 1,344,980
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of biological therapy optimization and rational use strategies in the management of immune-mediated dermatological diseases proved to be safe and clinically effective. Additionally, it demonstrated a favorable economic impact, significantly contributing to the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
RWD46
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
Biologics & Biosimilars, Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)