PHS38 - Quantifying the Economic Burden of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria in Portugal – What is the Impact on the Portuguese NHS and in the Society

Abstract

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) affects significantly the patients QoL and its ability to do day-today activities but because of the intermittent symptomology and low mortality the impact associated to CSU is often underestimated. Estimate the health care resource use and direct treatment cost associated to the management of CSU in Portugal. A structured questionnaire was developed assessing standard clinical practice in CSU. Resource utilization was characterized considering diagnosis, regular follow-up, diagnostic exams, pharmacologic treatment, treatment of acute events and work absenteeism. Resource use and costs were estimated for patients with severe, moderate, mild and controlled urticaria. A patient with severe CSU can cost up to €2,081/year. Treating exacerbations can represent up to 43% of the total cost and work absenteeism corresponds to 23%. The cost of treating patients with moderate CSU can go up to €1,240/year, for patients with mild CSU the cost is €429/year and for controlled CSU, the cost is significantly lower, €86/year. The impact of CSU goes beyond esthetic and QoL considerations. There is a significant healthcare resource consumption and overall treatment costs are high and for patients with severe CSU the overall costs are comparable to other disease like diabetes (€1,653/patient year).