To Örebro University

Data quantifying population-based direct healthcare costs (DHCC) for atopic dermatitis (AD) by severity are limited. This study was designed to provide estimates for these costs. Patients were identified at first AD diagnosis in the National Patient Registry (secondary care) or in primary care (national coverage: 31%) (International Classification of Diseases-10 L20) or first dispensation of topical calcineurin inhibitor or topical corticosteroid (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code D11AH01/02 once; D07 twice in a year) in the Prescribed Drug Registry in 2007-17 (index) and followed until death, emigration, 31 Dec 2018 or adulthood. Patients without AD diagnosis with a record of diagnoses/treatment for other non-AD skin conditions were excluded. Patients were matched 1:1 on age, gender and region to controls. 1-year DHCC for secondary and primary care visits and filled prescriptions were compared with controls (2020€). Disease severity (mild-to-moderate [M2M] vs severe) using AD treatment and visits as proxies was assessed between index to 30 days after. 187,338 M2M (48% female; mean age 4) and 46,754 severe children (51%; 8), while 445,317 M2M (55%; 55) and 11,640 severe adults (57%; 53) were included. In children vs. controls, 1-year DHCC for secondary care, primary care and medications were respectively €72, €23, €33 million (mn) higher in M2M and €26, €4, €13 mn higher in severe; in adults vs. controls, €353, €68, €182 mn higher in M2M and €21, €2, €17 mn higher in severe (all comparisons significant, p<0.05). On population level, AD is associated with substantial economic burden, which is higher in M2M vs severe AD partially due to higher prevalence of M2M.