Healthcare Resource Utilization and Economic Burden of Prurigo Nodularis in the United States

INTRODUCTION: The impacts of prurigo nodularis (PN) on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs are unclear. METHODS: Plus) compared HCRU and costs over 1 year in adults with PN versus matched controls (region, payer type, age, sex, year) from 2016 to 2019, and also in patients with PN receiving advanced versus localized/no therapy. For patients with data in multiple calendar years, 1 year was randomly selected. Outcomes were compared by chi-square tests, t tests, or negative binomial tests. RESULTS: We matched 16,888 patients with PN with 16,888 controls. Most comorbidities (mental health, metabolic conditions, type 2 inflammatory diseases) appeared more frequently in patients with PN versus controls. HCRU was significantly (P < 0.001) higher for patients with PN versus controls, including mean (standard deviation, SD) number of outpatient visits (17.0 [15.5] vs 8.1 [10.7]) and proportion of patients with hospitalizations (9.3% vs 5.9%). Mean (SD) total costs were significantly (P < 0.001) greater for patients with PN versus controls ($18,315 [$66,476] vs $8451 [$30,982]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PN receiving advanced therapy had higher HCRU and costs versus localized/no therapy. Patients with PN (particularly those receiving advanced therapies) incurred higher all-cause HCRU burden and associated costs than matched controls. Enhanced feature (slides, video, animation) (MP4 12313 KB).