Impact of hidradenitis suppurativa on work loss, indirect costs and income

Abstract

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic cutaneous disease, can negatively affect work life. Objectives This retrospective cohort study evaluates the indirect burden among employed patients with HS in the U.S.A.<p> <p>Methods Newly diagnosed and general patients with HS, who were employees (age 18–64 years) from a large claims database (Q1 1999 to Q1 2015), were matched 1 : 5 to controls. Income growth and risk of leaving the workforce were assessed among the newly diagnosed HS and control cohorts in the 5-year study period. Income, work loss days and indirect costs (absenteeism and disability) were assessed among the general HS and control cohorts in the 1-year study period. <p>Results Newly diagnosed (n = 1003, mean age 39 5 years, 66 3% female) and general patients with HS (n = 1204, mean age 39 9 years, 69 1% female) were matched to 5015 and 6020 controls, respectively. Newly diagnosed patients with HS had significantly slower income growth ($324 per year) and higher risk of leaving the workforce (adjusted hazard ratio 1 65, 95% confidence interval 1 45– 1 88) compared with controls (all P < 0 05). General patients with HS had more total days of work loss (18 4 vs. 7 7), higher annual total indirect costs ($2925 vs. $1483) and lower annual income ($54 925 vs. $62 357) than controls (all P < 0 001). <p>Conclusions Patients with newly diagnosed HS and general patients with HS experienced a greater indirect burden than matched controls.