Psoriasis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Psoriasis, including details on treatment, prevention, medication, causes.

Medication-related factors affecting health care outcomes and costs for patients with psoriasis in the United States.

Kulkarni AS, Balkrishnan R, Richmond D, Pearce DJ, Feldman SR

Division of Management, Policy, and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, USA.

BACKGROUND: The impact of psoriasis medication therapy on costs and patient outcomes in large nationally representative samples needs further examination. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between factors related to medication use, health status, and health care costs associated with psoriasis in the United States. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort study was performed using the 2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey database. Information on health care service use, health status (EuroQol-5D instrument), and patient demographics were obtained from the database representing approximately 1.1 million patients with psoriasis. EuroQol was used in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. RESULTS: Weighted multiple linear regression analysis indicated that use of topical corticosteroid therapy was associated with a decrease in psoriasis-specific health care costs (53.2% lower than average costs vs patients using no medications, P = .022) and better health status (34.0% higher than average scores vs patients using no medications, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: We observed an association with topical corticosteroids for treatment of psoriasis on health care outcomes and costs.

Published 31 December 2004 in J Am Acad Dermatol, 52(1): 27-31.
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