Willingness to pay and quality of life in alopecia areata

The burden of alopecia areata: A scoping review focusing on quality of life, mental health and work productivity

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common inflammatory autoimmune disease of the hair which can have a significant negative impact on quality of life (QoL), mental health and productivity. The aim of this scoping review is to elucidate the burden of AA focusing on these three realms. Inclusion criteria included all original manuscripts with no restriction on study type or statistical method written in English (or having an English abstract). For QoL 40 articles were included, 85 for psychiatric comorbidities, and 9 for work/school absenteeism/presenteeism mostly consisting of cross-sectional and observational cohort studies. QoL impairment was detected in over 75% of patients and up to one-third reported extremely severe QoL impairments. Specific QoL dimensions with the greatest impact were embarrassment, social functioning, as well as shopping and/or housework. Cross-sectional studies assessing the psychological burden of adult patients with AA found that the presence of signs of anxiety and/or depression ranged from 30% to 68% and affected all age groups. Rates of work absenteeism and unemployment were significantly higher in AA patients compared to healthy controls. Up to 62% reported making major life decisions including relationships, education and career based on their AA. Additionally, the extensive camouflage techniques and time lost from work led to a strong financial burden for patients and the numerous physician visits added to the healthcare costs. The overall impact of AA stretches much further than simply being an aesthetic concern and can negatively impact every part of an individual's life. An individualized approach and effective treatments will help reduce the psychosocial consequences and distress and return patients to their normal state of health.

Health Related Quality of Life of Rosacea Patients in China Assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index and Willingness to Pay

PURPOSE

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis mainly involving facial skin, leading to physical and emotional problems, which greatly affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and willingness to pay (WTP) are well-established instruments assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while very few studies have been focused on this topic about rosacea in China. The present study investigated HRQoL in Chinese rosacea patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 973 patients with rosacea. Sociodemographic data, clinical features and DLQI were collected, and WTP was assessed by three standardized items. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to investigate independent factors influencing QoL.

RESULTS

A total of 921 questionnaires were accomplished by participants. The mean DLQI score was 11.6 (median 11). Patients were willing to pay an average of € 896.2 (median € 368.1) for complete cure. 33.3% would like to pay more than 20% of their monthly income to achieve sustainable control. There were positive correlations between WTP with DLQI (P < 0.05). DLQI could be independently impacted by age (21-30 and 31-40 relative to > 50, OR = 3.242 and 3.617, respectively), the occupational requirement of appearance (high, OR = 4.410), disease duration (< 2 years, OR = 1.582), edema (OR = 1.844) and severity of flushing, burning, stinging and pruritus (severe, OR = 2.003, 1.981, 2.491, 2.249, respectively). There were no significant associations between WTP and most of the clinical factors.

CONCLUSION

The QoL was greatly impaired and should not be ignored among rosacea patients in China. Patients aged 21-40y, having occupational requirement of appearance, with the disease duration less than 2 years, and suffering severe flushing and related sensitive symptoms were more likely to have severe or very severe limitation of QoL.

Quality of life measurement in alopecia areata. Position statement of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes

New treatment options may lead to an increased interest in using reliable and sensitive instruments to assess health-related quality of life in people with alopecia areata (AA). The purpose of this paper is to present current knowledge about quality of life assessment in AA. The dermatology-specific Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was the most widely reported health-related quality of life instrument used in AA. Three AA-specific (Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale, Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index and Alopecia Areata Patients' Quality of Life) and three hair disease-specific instruments (Hairdex, Scalpdex and 'hair-specific Skindex-29') were identified with a range of content and validation characteristics: there is little evidence yet of the actual use of these measures in AA. Scalpdex is the best-validated hair disease-specific instrument. Further extensive validation is needed for all of the AA-specific instruments. The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes recommends the use of the dermatology-specific DLQI questionnaire, hair disease-specific Scalpdex and the alopecia areata-specific instruments the Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale or Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index, despite the limited experience of their use. We hope that new treatment methods will be able to improve both clinical signs and health-related quality of life in patients with AA. In order to assess the outcomes of trials on these new treatment methods, it would be helpful when further development and validation of AA-specific instruments is being encouraged and also conducted.

Cumulative Life Course Impairment of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA), an unpredictable, nonscarring hair loss, is commonly perceived as a cosmetic, rather than medical, concern. However, substantial evidence exists describing the negative impact on quality of life, as the disease affects patients personally, socially, financially, and physically. Over time, the cumulative disability may perpetuate poor confidence, social disconnection, negative coping strategies, and failure to achieve a full life potential. Here, we describe the cumulative life course impairment (CLCI) of AA by examining the complex interaction of (1) stigmatization, (2) physical and psychiatric comorbidities, and (3) coping strategies. The model aggregates existing cross-sectional data, which have previously captured disease burden only as snapshots in time. Thus, by examining cumulative effects, the CLCI model serves as a proxy for longitudinal data to better describe life course epidemiology of the disease.

A Botanical Compound for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata and Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

Legacy Healthcare has developed and patented a topical botanical with a unique mechanism of action, an extensive clinical data package, and excellent safety from the 2.2 million units already sold, all of which has enabled it to enter late-stage clinical development for alopecia areata (AA), chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and soon female androgenetic alopecia. As this drug candidate is very safe, the European Medicines Agency agreed to Legacy Healthcare's request to initiate late-stage clinical trial first in children, the neediest population suffering from AA. The initial trend from the phase II/III trial conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug candidate in pediatric AA (RAAINBOW trial) looks promising, although no conclusions can be made. This drug candidate seems to offer several potential safety and economic advantages over other investigational synthetic and biologic compounds currently being investigated in populations with AA overall and especially for children.

Psychosocial and psychiatric comorbidities and health-related quality of life in alopecia areata: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated disease resulting in nonscarring hair loss. Systematic reviews on the psychosocial and psychiatric comorbidities, health-related quality of life, and interventions targeting psychosocial well-being are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of the psychosocial comorbidities, health-related quality of life, and treatment options targeting psychosocial well-being in adult and pediatric AA patients.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines within the PubMed database. Specific search terms included, but were not limited to, alopecia areata, psychosocial, psychiatry, and quality of life. Studies were then evaluated for their design and categorized into corresponding levels of evidence according to the guidelines adapted from the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine.

FINDINGS

Seventy-three reports met inclusion criteria, involving approximately 414,319 unique participants. AA patients were found to have psychiatric comorbidities, particularly anxiety and depression. Health-related quality of life is reduced in AA patients, but data on pediatric AA quality of life are limited. Psychotherapy is often recommended as adjuvant treatment.

CONCLUSION

AA has substantial psychosocial impact on patients and results in reduced health-related quality of life. Addressing this should be an active part of treatment.