Eonomic Burden of Dermatitis in US Workers

Objective: To estimate the economic burden associated with dermatitis in those aged 16 to 65 years and working in seven industry sectors (DW). Methods: The 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the cost-of-illness method, which aggregates health care costs and productivity losses, were used. Results: The economic burden of DW was ~$1.2 billion, representing 10.5% of the cost of all skin diseases and disorders (SDD). In all private industry (ie, the sum of the seven sectors examined), cost per employed person was ~$11 for DW and $109 for SDD. In the all-services sector, one of the seven examined, cost per employed person was ~$15 for DW and $113 for SDD. Conclusions: This study provides the first published estimate of the economic burden of DW, based on a representative sample of the US population.