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Willingness to pay and quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis

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Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a frequent and burdensome disease. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the willingness to pay (WTP) and quality of life (Qol) in AD patients and (2) to compare the results with data on other chronic skin diseases. To collect data, a non-interventional, cross-sectional nationwide postal survey on adult patients with clinically diagnosed AD was performed; socio-demographic data, clinical features/symptoms, WTP and QoL were recorded. WTP was assessed in three different approaches, including relative and absolute figures. Data from n = 384 AD patients (mean age 42.0, range 18–92, 69.8 % female) were analyzed. WTP for complete healing was on median €1,000 (average €11,884) and exceeded WTP in rosacea (median €500) but not in vitiligo (median €3,000). Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was 8.5 (vitiligo 7.0; psoriasis 6.7; rosacea 4.3) and correlated with pruritus, xerosis and disturbed sleep. WTP and DLQI correlated only marginally (r s = 0.134, p = 0.01). In conclusion, AD patients show high WTP and markedly reduced QoL compared to other chronic skin diseases.

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Acknowledgments

This project has been supported by a research grant from the “Deutscher Neurodermitis Bund e.V.” (German atopic dermatitis league). We thank the organization for their excellent cooperation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IVDP-Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    F. C. Beikert, A. K. Langenbruch, M. A. Radtke, S. Purwins & M. Augustin

  2. Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Schleswig–Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany

    T. Kornek

Authors
  1. F. C. Beikert
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  2. A. K. Langenbruch
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  3. M. A. Radtke
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  4. T. Kornek
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  5. S. Purwins
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  6. M. Augustin
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Correspondence to F. C. Beikert.

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Beikert, F.C., Langenbruch, A.K., Radtke, M.A. et al. Willingness to pay and quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol Res 306, 279–286 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-013-1402-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-013-1402-1

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