Work/study productivity gain and associated indirect cost savings with guselkumab compared with adalimumab in moderate-to-severe psoriasis: results from the VOYAGE 1 study

Abstract

Background

Work productivity loss (WPL) is a major contributor to the indirect costs of psoriasis. Newer biologic therapies are effective at reducing disease symptoms and improving quality of life, but their impact on WPL and associated indirect cost savings compared to previously approved biologic therapies is largely unknown.

Objectives

To compare the effects of guselkumab and adalimumab on WPL and associated indirect cost savings in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methods

Using data from the VOYAGE 1 (NCT02207231) trial, improvements from baseline in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) work/study domain scores were compared for patients receiving guselkumab or adalimumab at 24 and 48 weeks of treatment. Improvements in WPL and associated cost savings were calculated using a previously established DLQI-WPL algorithm.

Results

Among patients who could not work/study at baseline (DLQI work/study domain score = 3), a significantly greater proportion of guselkumab-treated patients could work/study without problems (DLQI work/study domain score = 0) than adalimumab-treated patients at Weeks 24 and 48. Improvements from baseline in WPL and associated cost savings were greater with guselkumab than with adalimumab at Week 48.

Conclusions

Guselkumab was superior to adalimumab for improvement in WPL and associated indirect cost savings, and its use may reduce the economic burden of psoriasis.

Keywords:

• Psoriasis
• guselkumab
• productivity
• indirect costs

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Cornerstone Research Group for their support in the development of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

Amanda Teeple and Erik Muser are employees of Janssen Scientific Affairs and stock holders of Johnson & Johnson. Yin You and Michael Song are employees of Janssen Research & Development. Nan Li is an employee of Janssen Global Services and a stock holder of Johnson & Johnson. Dr. April Armstrong is an investigator and/or consultant to: AbbVie, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Leo Pharma, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, UCB Biopharma, Dermira, Ortho Dermatologics, Sanofi Genzyme, Regeneron, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Science 37, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, and Modernizing Medicine. Cornerstone Research Group is a paid consultant of Janssen and supported in the medical writing and development of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Janssen Inc.