A prospective evaluation of the cost of psoriasis in Spain (EPIDERMA project: phase II).
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the direct and indirect costs related to psoriasis in Spain.


METHODS
We performed a 12-month, multicentre, prospective longitudinal and observational study. Overall expense of care was assessed as the sum of direct and indirect costs.


RESULTS
A total of 797 patients with varying demographics and different degrees of severity of psoriasis were included in the study. The mean total cost of psoriasis, including direct and indirect items, was 1,079 euro per patient and year. The major sources of expenditure were prescription drugs (46.6%), followed by medical activities (34.5%). Mean costs in patients with moderate and severe psoriasis were approximately 1.5 and 2.5 times higher than in those with mild psoriasis, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In Spain, psoriasis is associated with substantial costs both to the National Health System and to the patients.
Carrascosa
J M
JM
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain. jmcarrascosac@wanadoo.es
Pujol
R
R
Daudén
E
E
Hernanz-Hermosa
J M
JM
Bordas
X
X
Smandia
J A
JA
Ferrándiz
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D013030:Spain