Humanistic and economic impact of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Brazil

Introduction Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory disease, which has a substantial humanistic and economic burden. This study aimed to assess the impact of this disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, and direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective among Brazilian patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study, enrolling patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis according to physician evaluation. Data collection was performed from December 2015 to November 2016 through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and five standardized patient-reported outcomes instruments. Direct costs were estimated by multiplying the amount of resources used (12-month recall period) by the corresponding unit cost. Indirect costs were grouped in two time horizons: annual costs (income reduction and absenteeism) and lifetime costs (demission and early retirement). Results A total of 188 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were included, with mean age of 48.0 (SD 13.1). “Anxiety and depression” and “pain and discomfort” were the most impaired dimensions, according to the EuroQol Five-Dimension-Three-Level (EQ-5D-3L). The highest effect was found for “symptoms and feelings” [mean (SD) 2.4 (1.7)] Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) subscale. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) presence and biologic-naïve status were associated with worse HRQoL. Presenteeism was more frequent than absenteeism, according to the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire-General Health (WPAI-GH) [17.4% vs. 6.3%], while physical demands and time management were the most affected Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) subscales [means (SD) 23.5 (28.5) and 17.7 (24.9), respectively]. The estimated annual cost per patient was USD 4034. Direct medical costs accounted for 87.7% of this estimate, direct non-medical costs for 2.4%, and indirect costs for 9.9%. Conclusions Results evidenced that moderate to severe plaque psoriasis imposes substantial costs to society. Our data showed that this disease negatively affects both work productivity and HRQoL of Brazilian patients. Subgroups with PsA and biologic-naïve patients presented lower HRQoL, showing the impact of this comorbidity and the relevance of biologics in psoriasis treatment

Patch tests in children with eczema

Introdução: Eczemas são manifestações inflamatórias da pele. Na infância se destacam a dermatite atópica (DA) e a dermatite de contato (DC). Os testes de contato correspondem a um método auxiliar para diferenciar a dermatite de contato por irritante primário (DCIP) da dermatite de contato alérgica (DCA) e definir a etiologia da DCA. Nos pacientes com DA, têm a faculdade de também auxiliar na identificação de substâncias que possam estar contribuindo para a piora do quadro. Objetivos: verificar a frequência de testes de contato positivos em crianças com hipóteses diagnósticas de DC e de DA associada ou não à DC; obter os principais sensibilizantes nessa faixa etária e comparar os dados obtidos entre os grupos de pacientes com DC e DA. Métodos: Durante o período entre julho de 2007 e agosto de 2009, 62 crianças com idades entre 2 e 12 anos foram submetidas aos testes de contato com a bateria padrão e/ou bateria de cosméticos de testes de contato padronizadas pelo Grupo Brasileiro de Estudos em Dermatite de Contato. As leituras foram realizadas em 48 e 96 horas. Resultados: Entre os 62 pacientes submetidos aos testes de contato, 38 pacientes apresentaram pelo menos um teste de contato positivo e 24, todos negativos. Entre os 44 pacientes com hipótese diagnóstica inicial de DA, 19 tinham DA associada à DCA. Entre os 18 pacientes com hipótese diagnóstica inicial de DC, 12 apresentavam DCA. No total, foram encontrados 76 testes positivos, sendo 53 (70%) relevantes, e 23 (30%) não relevantes com a história clínica do paciente. Os pacientes com DA apresentaram mais testes positivos não relevantes do que os pacientes com hipótese diagnóstica apenas de DC, e essa diferença foi estatisticamente significativa.( 2 = 6,55 e p = 0,01 ). Considerando os testes relevantes com a história clínica, o sulfato de níquel foi o principal sensibilizante com 14 (22,6%) testes positivos, a neomicina foi o segundo sensibilizante mais comum com sete testes positivos (11,3%), e a terceira substância mais comum foi o cloreto de cobalto com quatro (6,4%) testes positivos. Testes não relevantes foram encontrados em 30% do total de substâncias com testes positivos. O timerosol foi positivo em 11 casos, porém em oito pacientes com DA não foram relevantes com a história clínica. Conclusões: Pacientes na faixa etária entre 2 e 12 anos com DA e DC apresentaram testes de contato positivos, e não houve diferenças quanto à frequência dos testes positivos entre esses dois grupos. Os principais sensibilizantes relevantes com a história clínica foram o sulfato de níquel, a neomicina e o cloreto de cobalto, o que está de acordo com vários estudos na literatura. Pacientes com DA apresentaram mais testes falso-positivos que os pacientes com DC, possivelmente por um defeito da barreira cutânea dos pacientes com DA, e maior exposição precoce aos medicamentos tópicos ou emolientes para o controle da DA. Teste de contato em crianças pode ser considerado importante ferramenta para auxiliar no diagnóstico dos eczemas, identificando o agente causador da DC ou de piora nos casos de DA, e deve ser levado em conta em todos esses pacientesEczema is a cutaneous inflammatory manifestation in some dermatosis. In children, we highlight atopic dermatitis (AD) and contact dermatitis (CD). Patch tests help to differentiate irritative contact dermatitis (ICD) from allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), and define the etiology of allergic contact dermatitis. In patients with AD, it may also help to identify substances that may contribute to the worsening of this dermatosis. Objectives: To determine the frequency of positive patch tests in children with diagnosis of CD and AD with or without CD; to detect the main sensitizers in this group and compare the results between the groups of patients with CD and AD. Methods: From July 2007 to August 2009, 62 children aged between 2 to 12 years old were patch tested with the Brazilian standard battery of patch tests and cosmetic series. The readings were taken at 48 and 96 hours. Results: Thirty-eight patients had at least one positive patch test reactions and 24, all negative. Among the 44 patients with initial diagnosis of AD, 19 were associated with ACD. Among the 18 patients with initial diagnosis of CD, 12 had ACD. In total, there were 76 positive tests, 53 (70%) relevant, and 23 (30%) not relevant to the patient\'s clinical history. Patients with AD showed more positive tests not relevant than patients with diagnosis of CD only, and this difference was statistically significant. (2 = 6.55 and p = 0.01). Considering the relevant tests, nickel sulphate was the main allergen with 14 (22.6%) positive tests, neomycin was the second with seven positive tests (11.3%), and the third substance was cobalt chloride with four (6.4%) positive tests. Tests not relevant were found in 30% of the total of the positive tests. Thimerosol was positive in 11 cases, but in eight patients with AD were not relevant to the clinical history. Conclusions Patients aged between 2 to 12 years old with AD and CD had positive tests, and there were no differences in the frequency of positive tests between these two groups. The main sensitizers, relevant to the clinical history were nickel sulfate, neomycin and cobalt chloride. This result is consistent with several studies in the literature. Patients with AD showed more false-positive tests than patients with CD, possibly due to a defective skin barrier of AD patients, and earlier exposure to topical emollients and treatments for the control of AD. Patch test in children can be considered an important tool for the diagnosis of eczema, identifying the causative agent of CD or worsening cases of AD, and should be performed in all these patients. The correct interpretation of the patch tests is essential to evaluate the association of ACD in patients with AD and to identify the causative agent of the AC

Humanistic and economic impact of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Brazil

Introduction Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory disease, which has a substantial humanistic and economic burden. This study aimed to assess the impact of this disease on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), work productivity, and direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective among Brazilian patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study, enrolling patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis according to physician evaluation. Data collection was performed from December 2015 to November 2016 through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire and five standardized patient-reported outcomes instruments. Direct costs were estimated by multiplying the amount of resources used (12-month recall period) by the corresponding unit cost. Indirect costs were grouped in two time horizons: annual costs (income reduction and absenteeism) and lifetime costs (demission and early retirement). Results A total of 188 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis were included, with mean age of 48.0 (SD 13.1). “Anxiety and depression” and “pain and discomfort” were the most impaired dimensions, according to the EuroQol Five-Dimension-Three-Level (EQ-5D-3L). The highest effect was found for “symptoms and feelings” [mean (SD) 2.4 (1.7)] Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) subscale. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) presence and biologic-naïve status were associated with worse HRQoL. Presenteeism was more frequent than absenteeism, according to the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire-General Health (WPAI-GH) [17.4% vs. 6.3%], while physical demands and time management were the most affected Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) subscales [means (SD) 23.5 (28.5) and 17.7 (24.9), respectively]. The estimated annual cost per patient was USD 4034. Direct medical costs accounted for 87.7% of this estimate, direct non-medical costs for 2.4%, and indirect costs for 9.9%. Conclusions Results evidenced that moderate to severe plaque psoriasis imposes substantial costs to society. Our data showed that this disease negatively affects both work productivity and HRQoL of Brazilian patients. Subgroups with PsA and biologic-naïve patients presented lower HRQoL, showing the impact of this comorbidity and the relevance of biologics in psoriasis treatment