OBJECTIVES : Moderate-to-severe psoriasis (PsO) is associated with a substantial health and economic burden globally; work productivity loss (absenteeism and presenteeism) is a major contributor. This study aims to estimate the PsO-associated indirect cost burden in the EU5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) and to demonstrate the indirect cost savings which would result from treatment with guselkumab instead of adalimumab.

METHODS : A costing model to calculate burden and savings was developed. The number of employed moderate-to-severe PsO patients across the EU5 was multiplied by the annual productivity gain resulting from treatment with guselkumab instead of adalimumab. Numbers of employed moderate-to-severe PsO patients were based on 2016 population data and employment rates adjusted by moderate and severe PsO prevalence rates. These data were collected through a targeted literature review including OECD and Eurostat databases. Annual productivity gain was based on average wages combined with previous analyses which established the relationship between improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and increase in work productivity. DLQI data were derived from the VOYAGE 1 & 2 clinical trials at week 48 and productivity loss due to PsO was obtained from Villacorta et al. (2017).

RESULTS : It was estimated that 1.8 million patients with moderate-to-severe PsO were employed in the EU5 in 2016. The PsO-associated indirect cost burden was approximately €15 billion per year. Treating eligible employed moderate-to-severe PsO patients with guselkumab instead of adalimumab would lead to indirect cost savings of approximately €165 million per year, equating to €409 indirect cost savings per patient per year.

CONCLUSIONS : The economic burden associated with reduction in work productivity of patients with moderate-to-severe PsO is high and has a significant impact on society. Treating patients with guselkumab is predicted to lead to increased work productivity and consequently, substantial indirect cost savings.