OBJECTIVES : Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is highly prevalent not only in children but also in adults. The aim of this study is to estimate the economic, and humanistic burden of AD in adults and adolescents in seven countries in the Middle East Africa (MEA) region (Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Algeria, South Africa, United Arab Emirates).

METHODS : Primary data and secondary data were both utilized. Published data about quality of life broken down by age was adapted to the local population demographics. A survey was used to collect health care resource utilization. Furthermore, unit costs were collected from both secondary sources, and expert interviews. Accordingly, the total direct cost per country was calculated after adjustment for untreated patients. The average productivity lost by patients from the literature was adapted to the local settings putting into consideration prevalence, employment rate, age, sex, and labor force participation rate. From the previous data, AD related indirect costs due to absenteeism and presentism were calculated.

RESULTS : The total direct cost was estimated at 400M USD annually for all seven countries. United Arab Emirates was affected the most, at 103M USD annually. Regarding productivity loss, the average indirect cost as a percent of GDP was 0.04%, while the total indirect cost was estimated at one billion USD annually. Concerning the humanistic burden, the average loss per patient was 0.24 QALYs annually, and the total utility loss was estimated at about 430,000 QALYs annually, where Egypt had the highest utility loss of about 130,000 QALYs.

CONCLUSIONS : Atopic dermatitis has a significant burden in the MEA region. Although the magnitude of economic burden varies between individual countries, AD poses a significant impact on the economy. Indirect cost was around 2.5 times higher than the direct cost. Total QALYs lost due to AD is comparable to other fatal diseases.