OBJECTIVES

: Psoriasis represents a significant public health challenge, affecting approximately 125 million people globally. It may occur at any age with 75% of patients being diagnosed before the age of 40. In many European countries it is estimated that 1-3% of the population are affected, of whom 30% have moderate to severe disease. The objective of the study is to determine the annual economic burden of plaque psoriasis in Greece from a societal perspective.

METHODS

: This was a national, 6-month, multi-centre, prospective, epidemiological study across different geographical locations in Greece assessing adult patients who had stable plaque psoriasis for the past 6 months. In order to calculate the annual societal burden of psoriasis, data were obtained on direct (medication and self-care products, laboratory and diagnostic procedures, outpatient visits, hospitalization and transportation) and indirect (i.e. productivity loss) costs. Work productivity burden was also calculated using the psoriasis specific Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI:PSO) questionnaire.

RESULTS

: The mean (95% CI) annual economic burden of psoriasis was calculated at €4,683 (€4,311 – €5,119) per patient. The annual societal burden was found to be significantly lower among patients with mild psoriasis compared to those patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The mean (95%) annual direct cost was €4,544 (€4,199 – €5,000), while the annual indirect cost was €139 (€99 – €194). The main driver for both was treatment specific costs, followed by outpatient visit costs. 56.4% of 668 patients reported that they had missed work during the past six months due to their disease with median time lost being four hours.

CONCLUSIONS

: The study provides evidence that psoriasis represents a substantial direct cost burden in Greece. The economic burden of psoriasis is significant, with a majority of it coming from direct costs.