Estimating Work-Related Indirect Costs in Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Using a Daily Combined Symptom-Medication...

Area of Science:

• Allergy and immunology
• Occupational health
• Health economics

Background:

• Allergic rhinitis and asthma significantly impact work productivity.
• Quantifying this impairment is crucial for economic assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the daily work productivity visual analog scale (VAS work).
• To compare VAS work with the established Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire plus Classroom Impairment Questions: Allergy Specific (WPAI+CIQ:AS).
• To assess the relationship between allergy control and work impairment, including indirect costs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing data from the MASK-air® app.
• Daily VAS work and weekly WPAI+CIQ:AS responses were collected.
• Mixed-effects regression models analyzed associations between disease control (CSMS, e-DASTHMA) and VAS work.
• Indirect costs were estimated using the human capital approach.

Main Results:

• VAS work showed strong correlations (Spearman's ρ ≥ 0.70) with WPAI+CIQ:AS for total work impairment and presenteeism.
• Improved disease control (CSMS, e-DASTHMA) significantly correlated with reduced work impairment on VAS work.
• Estimated daily indirect costs varied significantly by country, highlighting the economic burden of poorly controlled allergies.

Conclusions:

• The VAS work is a valid and simple daily tool for assessing work impairment in allergic rhinitis and asthma.
• Combined Symptom-Medication Score (CSMS) and electronic daily asthma control score (e-DASTHMA) can effectively estimate productivity losses due to poor disease control.