PRODUCTIVITY LOSS IN PATIENTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE THYROID EYE DISEASE IN SPAIN AND ITALY: RESULTS FROM A REAL-WORLD CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Author(s)
Antonio-Manuel Garrido-Hermosilla, MD, PhD, Prof1, Fernando Heredia-Sánchez, MSc2, Mariola Méndez-Muros, MD3, Christina Giannopoulou, MSc4, Cynthia Lesbros, PhD5, Julie Laurent, MSc5, Kate Dotsikas, PhD5, Alexandra Eddy, MSc6.
1Andalusian TED Referral Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain, 2Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain, 3Andalusian TED Referral Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain, Sevilla, Spain, 4Amgen (Europe) GmbH, Risch-Rotkreuz, Switzerland, 5Carenity, Paris, France, 6Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
1Andalusian TED Referral Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain, 2Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain, 3Andalusian TED Referral Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Sevilla, Spain, Sevilla, Spain, 4Amgen (Europe) GmbH, Risch-Rotkreuz, Switzerland, 5Carenity, Paris, France, 6Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a progressive autoimmune condition that impairs vision, alters appearance, reduces quality of life, and may affect work ability. Despite this burden, real-world evidence on productivity loss remains limited. This study aimed to quantify indirect costs associated with annual productivity loss in patients with moderate-to-severe TED in Spain and Italy from the patient perspective.
METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted via the Carenity online patient community platform. Adults with self-reported moderate-to-severe TED living in Spain or Italy completed a 33-item questionnaire between October 2025 and January 2026. Annual productivity loss attributable to TED included work disability, workdays off (sick leave and vacation days over the past 12 months), and early medical retirement. Mean productivity loss (days) was calculated among participants of working age (18-67 years), excluding those not working for reasons unrelated to TED. Indirect costs were estimated from self-reported income using the Human Capital Approach (HCA) and the Friction Cost Method (FCM).
RESULTS: Eighty-three participants completed the questionnaire (Spain: n=64; Italy: n=19). Mean age was 52.5 years, 79% were women and 66% had been diagnosed with TED within the past 5 years. Productivity loss was assessed in 56 working age participants, including those employed (n=46) and those not working due to TED (n=10). Seven reported total work disability, one partial disability and three early medical retirement. Mean (SD) annual productivity loss attributable to TED was 75 (102) days (median: 3 days). Estimated annual indirect costs per patient ranged from €1,474 (SD €2,151) using FCM to €3,874 (SD €6,020) using HCA, with a median of €477 with both methods.
CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-severe TED is associated with substantial productivity loss and indirect costs in Spain and Italy, as reflected by work disability, work absence, and early medical retirement, indicating a considerable socioeconomic burden.
METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted via the Carenity online patient community platform. Adults with self-reported moderate-to-severe TED living in Spain or Italy completed a 33-item questionnaire between October 2025 and January 2026. Annual productivity loss attributable to TED included work disability, workdays off (sick leave and vacation days over the past 12 months), and early medical retirement. Mean productivity loss (days) was calculated among participants of working age (18-67 years), excluding those not working for reasons unrelated to TED. Indirect costs were estimated from self-reported income using the Human Capital Approach (HCA) and the Friction Cost Method (FCM).
RESULTS: Eighty-three participants completed the questionnaire (Spain: n=64; Italy: n=19). Mean age was 52.5 years, 79% were women and 66% had been diagnosed with TED within the past 5 years. Productivity loss was assessed in 56 working age participants, including those employed (n=46) and those not working due to TED (n=10). Seven reported total work disability, one partial disability and three early medical retirement. Mean (SD) annual productivity loss attributable to TED was 75 (102) days (median: 3 days). Estimated annual indirect costs per patient ranged from €1,474 (SD €2,151) using FCM to €3,874 (SD €6,020) using HCA, with a median of €477 with both methods.
CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-severe TED is associated with substantial productivity loss and indirect costs in Spain and Italy, as reflected by work disability, work absence, and early medical retirement, indicating a considerable socioeconomic burden.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EE560
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), Rare & Orphan Diseases