Patient Characteristics Associated With All-Cause Healthcare Costs of Alopecia Areata in the United States

March 2023 in “ Journal of Medical Economics ”

Wei Gao, Arash Mostaghimi, Kavita Gandhi, Nicolae Done, Markqayne Ray, James Signorovitch, Elyse Swallow, Christopher Carley, Travis Wang, Vanja Sikirica

alopecia areata AA hair loss

TLDR Middle-aged patients, those in the Northeast, with comprehensive insurance, extensive hair loss, or additional health issues, and young or older females face higher alopecia areata medical costs.

This study analyzed healthcare costs associated with alopecia areata (AA) in the US, using data from 16,207 patients. It found that costs varied significantly based on age, sex, and comorbidities, with elderly women incurring the highest costs, followed by younger women and middle-aged men. The AT/AU subtype was a modest cost driver. Regional differences were noted, with the Northeast having the highest costs, possibly due to a higher density of dermatologists. The study highlighted the need for further research to understand the impact of disease severity on costs and noted limitations such as the retrospective design and reliance on ICD-10-CM codes. The study was funded by Pfizer, Inc.

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