Version 1
: Received: 9 January 2024 / Approved: 10 January 2024 / Online: 10 January 2024 (12:02:23 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 15 January 2024 / Approved: 16 January 2024 / Online: 16 January 2024 (10:29:04 CET)
How to cite:
Nicolescu, A. C.; Strilciuc, S.; Lapadatu, R.; Grad, D. A.; Vladescu, C.; Olteanu, R. The Economic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Romania: A Broad Perspective. Preprints2024, 2024010830. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0830.v2
Nicolescu, A. C.; Strilciuc, S.; Lapadatu, R.; Grad, D. A.; Vladescu, C.; Olteanu, R. The Economic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Romania: A Broad Perspective. Preprints 2024, 2024010830. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0830.v2
Nicolescu, A. C.; Strilciuc, S.; Lapadatu, R.; Grad, D. A.; Vladescu, C.; Olteanu, R. The Economic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Romania: A Broad Perspective. Preprints2024, 2024010830. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0830.v2
APA Style
Nicolescu, A. C., Strilciuc, S., Lapadatu, R., Grad, D. A., Vladescu, C., & Olteanu, R. (2024). The Economic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Romania: A Broad Perspective. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0830.v2
Chicago/Turabian Style
Nicolescu, A. C., Cristian Vladescu and Rodica Olteanu. 2024 "The Economic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Romania: A Broad Perspective" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0830.v2
Abstract
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a common dermatological condition, is often associated with significant economic and social burdens. Despite extensive studies globally, there is a gap in understanding the comprehensive impact of this condition in Romania. Objectives:This study evaluated the economic burden and quality of life impact of AD in Romania, considering both direct and indirect costs. Materials & Methods: A mixed methods cost of illness study was conducted from April to October 2023. A patient survey, expert reviews, and national health data analysis were used to assess direct medical costs (treatments, medical services), direct non-medical costs (transportation, accommodation), and indirect costs (productivity losses). Quality of life was evaluated using the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L instrument. Results: In 2022, the total cost of atopic dermatitis in Romania was 32.983.498 EUR for adults and 31.573.968 EUR for children. Adult costs included 24.534.603 EUR in direct and 8.429.884 EUR in indirect medical costs, with an average annual cost per patient of 447 EUR. Pediatric costs involved 15.026.781 EUR in direct and 16.516.410 EUR in indirect costs, averaging 290 EUR per patient annually. Conclusion: Care expenditure with AD management in Romania is substantially lower than in other countries, posing a significant economic burden, primarily driven by indirect costs. This study provides a foundation for future policy interventions and highlights the need for targeted management strategies for AD.
Keywords
Atopic dermatitis, economic burden of disease, cost of illness
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Dermatology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Stefan Strilciuc
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author