Cost-effectiveness of Emollients in the Prevention of Relapse among French Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis affects up to 20% of children and quite frequently persists in adulthood. Follow-up, treatment, and prevention of relapses have an impact on healthcare spending. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of different emollients prescribed for patients with atopic dermatitis in France. A 3-health state Markov model was designed, using French data for resource utilization, price and transition probabilities. The effects of the use of 5 different emollients (A, B, C, D, E) or no emollient were compared. The selected outcome was time (years) without flare-up. The 5-year cost for emollient A is 1,575.64€, and the effectiveness is 3.89 years without flare-up. Strategy A is the most effective. Compared with treatment E, which was the least expensive emollient, A is more expensive (+481.84€) and more effective (0.082 years without flare-up). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is 5,877.48€/years without flare-up. In conclusion, treating atopic dermatitis with emollients is a cost-effective strategy.