Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Allergic rhinitis was recently classified by the ARIA guidelines as persistent or intermittent. Levocetirizine was shown to improve symptoms and health-related quality of life of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis in the XPERT study, a 6-month randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To assess the total costs of persistent allergic rhinitis, and the effect of long-term treatment with levocetirizine on these costs from several perspectives (societal, social security system, and employers). METHODS: Direct medical cost parameters (medications, physician visits and hospitalizations) and time lost parameters (workdays and Usual Daily Activities (UDA) lost) related to persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities ( asthma, sinusitis, otitis and upper respiratory infection) were measured. A cost analysis was performed using 2002 French costing data. RESULTS: From a societal perspective, the total cost of persistent allergic rhinitis without long-term treatment was estimated at 355.06/patient/month. From a social security perspective, levocetirizine treatment yielded an additional cost of 2.78/patient/month, compared to no-treatment. However, levocetirizine reduced the total cost of persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities by 152.93/patient/month from a societal perspective and by 64.70/patient/month from an employer perspective. Most gains resulted from a decrease in the lost workdays and UDA in the levocetirizine group. CONCLUSION: The cost of persistent allergic rhinitis is substantial. Treatment with levocetirizine reduces the cost of persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities to the society by 152.93/patient/month while improving symptoms and health-related quality of life.
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Authors | J Bousquet, N Demarteau, J Mullol, M E van den Akker-van Marle, E Van Ganse, C Bachert, XPERT study group |
Journal | Allergy
(Allergy)
Vol. 60
Issue 6
Pg. 788-94
(Jun 2005)
ISSN: 0105-4538 [Print] Denmark |
PMID | 15876309
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
- Piperazines
- levocetirizine
- Cetirizine
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Topics |
- Cetirizine
(therapeutic use)
- Cost of Illness
- Costs and Cost Analysis
- Europe
- Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Piperazines
(therapeutic use)
- Quality of Life
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
(drug therapy, economics)
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