The indirect costs of systemic autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and sarcoidosis: a summary of 2012 real-life data from the Social Insurance Institution in Poland

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and sarcoidosis are three different autoimmune systemic diseases that generate a significant burden to society due to treatment costs and also those caused by a work disability or absenteeism among patients. Relevant 2012 data referring to the three components of absenteeism produced by autoimmune systemic diseases, sick leave, short-term and long-term work disability, were obtained from the Social Insurance Institution in Poland (PSII). By applying the Human Capital Approach using gross domestic product per capita, gross value added per worker and gross income per worker in 2012, total indirect costs for the diseases were calculated. All costs were presented in euros and were valid for 2012. The PSII recorded 1600 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 500 patients with systemic sclerosis and 2700 patients with sarcoidosis in the 2012 – total indirect costs were as high as 7,260,595, 2,268,571 and 4,027,575 EUR, respectively. Costs were estimated using gross domestic product per capita; 17,485,412, 5,463,312 and 9,699,455 EUR, accordingly, calculated using gross value added per worker and 5,346,933, 1,670,648 and 2,966,034 EUR estimated using gross income per worker, respectively. Considering only data on absenteeism gathered by the PSII we can conclude that the three autoimmune systemic diseases bore great indirect costs. Their social burden for Poland could be even greater when considering presenteeism as well as other components of absenteeism such as loss of unpaid work, a gray economy or loss of leisure time.

Keywords:

• absenteeism
• indirect cost
• sarcoidosis
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• systemic sclerosis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Key issues

• Using real-life data from the Polish Social Insurance Institution and Polish macroeconomic indicators, including the gross domestic product, gross value added and gross income total, the indirect costs of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and sarcoidosis were calculated.

• The Polish Social Insurance Institution recorded 1600 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 500 with systemic sclerosis and 2700 with sarcoidosis in 2012.

• The total indirect costs calculated using the gross value added per worker were as high as 17,485,412; 5,463,312; and 9,699,455 EUR for systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and sarcoidosis, respectively.

• The estimated costs constitute a great economic burden to society. Accounting for presenteeism will make the costs even greater.