Costs associated with persistent allergic rhinitis are reduced by levocetirizine.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis was recently classified by the ARIA guidelines as persistent or intermittent. Levocetirizine was shown to improve symptoms and health-related quality of life of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis in the XPERT study, a 6-month randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the total costs of persistent allergic rhinitis, and the effect of long-term treatment with levocetirizine on these costs from several perspectives (societal, social security system, and employers).


METHODS
Direct medical cost parameters (medications, physician visits and hospitalizations) and time lost parameters (workdays and Usual Daily Activities (UDA) lost) related to persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities (asthma, sinusitis, otitis and upper respiratory infection) were measured. A cost analysis was performed using 2002 French costing data.


RESULTS
From a societal perspective, the total cost of persistent allergic rhinitis without long-term treatment was estimated at 355.06/patient/month. From a social security perspective, levocetirizine treatment yielded an additional cost of 2.78/patient/month, compared to no-treatment. However, levocetirizine reduced the total cost of persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities by 152.93/patient/month from a societal perspective and by 64.70/patient/month from an employer perspective. Most gains resulted from a decrease in the lost workdays and UDA in the levocetirizine group.


CONCLUSIONS
The cost of persistent allergic rhinitis is substantial. Treatment with levocetirizine reduces the cost of persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities to the society by 152.93/patient/month while improving symptoms and health-related quality of life.
Bousquet
J
J
Clinique des Maladies Respiratoires, University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Demarteau
N
N
Mullol
J
J
van den Akker-van Marle
M E
ME
Van Ganse
E
E
Bachert
C
C
D017332:Cetirizine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005060:Europe; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*
D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D010879:Piperazines; C472067:levocetirizine; D017332:Cetirizine