Cost evaluation in atopic eczema

Journal article

The aim of the present study was to assess the cost of atopic eczema to the patient and to the health service. Patients were recruited from a therapy evaluation study for the secondary prevention of atopic eczema. According to our calculations, the cost of atopic eczema to society is DM 4827 per annum per patient, and the cost to the individual patient is DM 468. On the basis of an estimated 1.5 million patients in the German population, the total cost of corticosteroids alone is approximately DM 450 million, and the annual cost to society including other costs (doctors' fees, hospitals) is DM 7 billion. It remains to be confirmed whether our findings can be verified in larger groups. Because of the current cost explosion in the provision of the health services, it is especially important to consider the financial aspect of diseases and their treatment.

Authors: Gieler, U; Hohmann, M; Niemeier, V; Kupfer, J; Stangier, U

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENT More from this journal
• Volume: 10
• Issue: SUPPL. 1
• Pages: S15-S20
• Publication date: 1999-01-01
• ISSN: 0954-6634
• Language: English
• Keywords: atopic eczema; cost evaluation; cost effectiveness; coping therapy evaluation