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.
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.