Indirect costs of absenteeism due to rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and ulcerative colitis in 2012: a study based on real-life data from the Social Insurance Institution in Poland

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the indirect costs of six major autoimmune diseases including seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, other types of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis. Methods: Relevant data for 2012 on sick leave and short- and long-term work disabilities were obtained from the Social Insurance Institution in Poland. Indirect costs were estimated using the human capital approach based on gross domestic product per capita, gross value added per worker, and gross income per worker in Poland in 2012 and expressed in euro. Results: We recorded data on the total number of 45,500 patients. The total indirect costs were EUR 146,862,569; 353,683,508; and 108,154,271, calculated using gross domestic product, gross value added, and gross income, respectively. Conclusions: Considering only data on absenteeism collected by the Social Insurance Institution in Poland, we can conclude that the selected autoimmune diseases are associated with great indirect costs.

Keywords:

• absenteeism
• indirect cost
• insulin-dependent diabetes
• multiple sclerosis
• psoriasis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• type 1 diabetes
• ulcerative colitis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

No specific funding was used to conduct this research or to prepare this article. None of the authors has any conflict of interest to declare in reference to this study. 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.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• Using the real-life data from the Social Insurance Institution in Poland and the Polish macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, GVA and GI, the total indirect costs of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, other types of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, and ulcerative colitis were calculated.

• In 2012, the Social Insurance Institution in Poland recorded 8800 patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis; 7100 patients with other types of rheumatoid arthritis; 7600 patients with psoriasis; 5300 patients with multiple sclerosis; 9800 patients with Type 1 diabetes; and 6900 patients with ulcerative colitis.

• The total indirect costs amounted to EUR 146,862,569; 353,683,508; and 108,154,271, calculated using GDP per capita, GVA and GI per worker, respectively.

• The estimated costs constitute a substantial economic burden for the society. The costs would be even greater if data on presenteeism were also taken into account.