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The cost of childhood atopic dermatitis in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a cost-of-illness study

Thng, S.; Car, J.; Järbrink, K; Bajpai, R.; Olsson, M.; Wee, L. W. Y.; Yew, Y. W.; Koh, M. J. A.

The cost of childhood atopic dermatitis in a multi-ethnic Asian population: a cost-of-illness study Thumbnail


Authors

S. Thng

J. Car

K Järbrink

M. Olsson

L. W. Y. Wee

Y. W. Yew

M. J. A. Koh



Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood atopic dermatitis can often have a negative impact on quality of life for affected children and their caregivers. The condition contributes to increased healthcare costs and can pose heavy economic burdens on healthcare systems and societies. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive estimate of the economic burden of childhood atopic dermatitis in a Singaporean sample and to investigate associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional cost-of-illness study applied a societal perspective. Data was collected between December 2016 and December 2017 in Singapore. Caregivers to children below 16 years of age with physician-confirmed diagnosis of atopic dermatitis were recruited and socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, health service utilisation data and time spent on caregiving were collected from all eligible participants. RESULTS: The average annual cost per child with atopic dermatitis was estimated at US$7,943 (mild US$6,651, moderate US$7,935 and severe US$14,335) in 2017 prices. The major cost was for informal caregiving (46% of the total cost) followed by out-of-pocket expenses (37%). Healthcare utilisation contributed to 17% of the total cost of which 43% was for medications. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood atopic dermatitis imposes substantial costs with a large proportion arising from informal caregiving and out-of-pocket expenses. The cost for atopic dermatitis is also strongly related to disease severity. This information is important for policymakers and other health planners when considering how to better support affected families. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 12, 2019
Online Publication Date May 1, 2020
Publication Date May 1, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal British Journal of Dermatology
Print ISSN 0007-0963
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 182
Issue 5
Pages 1245-1252
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18442
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18442