Comparing the Burden of Illness in Patients with Alopecia Areata vs Atopic Dermatitis in the US Population from a Payer Perspective

March 2023 in “ Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy ”

D. Christian Fenske, Yuxin Ding, Paula Morrow, Sarah G Smith, Monica K. Silver, Meghan Moynihan, Janna Manjelievskaia

alopecia areata atopic dermatitis US administrative claims data comorbidity burden outpatient costs long-term disability claims

Studysummary This study found that patients with alopecia areata had similar total health care costs as those with atopic dermatitis, despite having fewer comorbidities and prescription medications overall.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This study compared the burden of illness and costs between patients with alopecia areata (AA) and atopic dermatitis (AD) using US administrative claims data. The analysis included 25,446 adult patients with AA matched to those with AD. Patients with AA had a lower comorbidity burden and used fewer medications than those with AD, yet total health care costs were similar between the two groups. Outpatient costs were higher for AA patients, and they were more likely to incur long-term disability claims and associated costs. Despite being perceived as a cosmetic issue, AA incurs similar medical expenditures as AD. The study was funded by Eli Lilly and Company.

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Alopecia Areata Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Comorbidities in the US Population Using Insurance Claims

research Alopecia Areata Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Comorbidities in the US Population Using Insurance Claims

23 citations , July 2021 in “Advances in Therapy”

This study observed that patients with alopecia areata often have comorbidities and experience significant healthcare costs, with treatments like systemic therapies being infrequently used.

research A Comprehensive Literature Review of JAK Inhibitors in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

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This review explores the efficacy and outcomes of using JAK inhibitors for treating alopecia areata, noting advancements in understanding the disease's pathomechanisms and suggesting that JAK inhibitors may offer targeted therapeutic benefits by blocking specific inflammatory pathways involved in this chronic condition.

research Development of the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes Instrument: A Qualitative Study

11 citations , March 2021 in “Dermatology and therapy”

This study developed the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcome (AAPPO), a new tool designed to measure and capture the symptoms and impacts of alopecia areata that matter most to patients.

research A Large Cross-Sectional Survey Study of the Prevalence of Alopecia Areata in the United States

63 citations , March 2020 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This study suggests that the prevalence of alopecia areata in the US remains similar to high estimates from the 1970s, with significant implications for quality of life.

research Minoxidil for Patchy Alopecia Areata: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

20 citations , March 2019 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, 5% minoxidil significantly improved outcomes for children and adults with patchy alopecia areata compared to placebo, with moderate quality evidence and no severe adverse events reported, though more research is needed to address remaining uncertainties.

research Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

100 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that alopecia areata is linked with a higher prevalence of systemic and psychiatric diseases, suggesting that physicians should monitor for these potential comorbidities.

research Alopecia Areata: Treatment Options and Efficacy

182 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews current and emerging treatments for alopecia areata, including Janus kinase inhibitors, highlighting variability in clinical outcomes and the lack of sustained remission.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, and pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlights recent advancements, but it does not report new clinical findings.

research Alopecia Areata: Current Situation and Perspectives

34 citations , October 2017 in “Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria”

This review discusses the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of alopecia areata, exploring potential environmental, immunological, and genetic factors involved in its development, but reports no new research findings.

research Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

95 citations , July 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review concluded that patients with alopecia areata consistently show poor health-related quality of life scores, similar to those in other chronic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

research The Autoimmune Basis of Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review

162 citations , October 2014 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

This review discusses alopecia areata, highlighting its autoimmune aspects, environmental triggers, and current treatment options, but reports no new clinical results; recent studies suggest JAK pathway intervention may offer therapeutic potential.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata

182 citations , October 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

These guidelines for alopecia areata management, prepared by the British Association of Dermatologists, provide evidence-based treatment recommendations and insights into the condition's epidemiology, diagnosis, and investigation.