Medication-related factors affecting health care outcomes and costs for patients with psoriasis in the United States.
BACKGROUND
The impact of psoriasis medication therapy on costs and patient outcomes in large nationally representative samples needs further examination.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined the association between factors related to medication use, health status, and health care costs associated with psoriasis in the United States.


METHODS
A cross-sectional cohort study was performed using the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey database. Information on health care service use, health status (EuroQol-5D instrument), and patient demographics were obtained from the database representing approximately 1.1 million patients with psoriasis. EuroQol was used in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.


RESULTS
Weighted multiple linear regression analysis indicated that use of topical corticosteroid therapy was associated with a decrease in psoriasis-specific health care costs (53.2% lower than average costs vs patients using no medications, P = .022) and better health status (34.0% higher than average scores vs patients using no medications, P = .006).


CONCLUSIONS
We observed an association with topical corticosteroids for treatment of psoriasis on health care outcomes and costs.
Kulkarni
Amit S
AS
Division of Management, Policy, and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, USA.
Balkrishnan
Rajesh
R
Richmond
David
D
Pearce
Daniel J
DJ
Feldman
Steven R
SR
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids