Resource use in patients with psoriasis after the introduction of biologics in Sweden

The introduction of biologics has changed treatment patterns as well as costs in patients with psoriasis. This study was performed to estimate direct and indirect costs of the psoriasis population in Sweden, and to analyse changes in costs between 2006 and 2009. The study population was identified in national registers. Direct costs included health care visits with primary psoriasis diagnoses in specialist care and drugs relevant for treating psoriasis. Productivity loss, including costs of long-term sick leave and disability pension, was estimated as the difference between psoriasis patients and matched controls from the general population. Total direct cost increased from SEK 348 million (~ €39) in 2006 to SEK 459 million (~ €51) in 2009, whereas the total productivity loss decreased from SEK 1,646 (~ €183) to 1,618 million (~ €180) between 2006 and 2009. Although direct costs, especially for biologic agents, have increased for patients with psoriasis over time, this study indicates that costs related to productivity loss are still more substantial.