INTRODUCTION: Costs associated with chronic psoriasis impart a significant economic burden.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the direct and indirect cost of psoriasis patients in a tertiary government hospital in Davao City.

METHODS: Plaque-type psoriasis patients who were actively seeking care at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Department of Dermatology for at least 6 months prior to the study period were included. The participants reported on socioeconomic status, productivity loss and monetary funding through questionnaires. Work impairment was evaluated using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire and was used to compute the indirect cost. A 6-month retrospective review of the health information system and medical charts generated the healthcare resource utilization data as well as the medical data used to compute the direct cost.

RESULTS: Among the 43 participants enrolled, 53% had a monthly household income of less than PHP8,000 (USD157) and 27% were unemployed. There was an overall work impairment of 65.4%, and 55% had experienced a change in employment status due to psoriasis. The mean 6-month direct cost of psoriasis was PHP22,672.28 ($445). The mean 6-month indirect cost was PHP 26,071.20 ($511) for employment status change and PHP 75,804.30 ($1,486) for work impairment. Government agencies provided financial aid for treatment but majority of the costs came from the participants' own pockets.

CONCLUSION: The economic burden of psoriasis increased substantially due to the indirect cost, which in turn increased remarkably due to work impairment and employment status change.