Surgically resected hidradenitis suppurativa: a population-based cost analysis.

Abstract

Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a painful debilitating skin disorder affecting patients who are typically in their most productive time of life, imposing a significant burden on both the health care system and patients themselves. The main objective of this study was to use a comprehensive, population-based data set to estimate the economic burden of HS surgical management in Canada, and to determine factors associated with higher costs. A cohort of HS cases and the cost of sectorial services were obtained from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). All residents of Ontario covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2013, who underwent surgery for HS, defined by OHIP billing codes, were included. A sex- and age- matched control group (3 control for each cases) was selected as comparison. The cost of HS in this analysis was almost three times higher than that of the age- and sex- matched control group. In the 5 years leading to the surgery the average cost for patients was more than twice as high as the matched controls ($2,803 vs $1,069; P<0.01). The average total cost in cases was highest at the year of surgery and decreased from $6,634 to $3,766 in the following year. The highest fractional cost was associated with hospitalization and specialist visits. HS patients impose high costs to healthcare system. The cost-analysis of HS management may improve budget allocation and result in reducing the economic burden of the disease.