Epidemiology and Health Care of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Germany - Methodology and Outcomes of Claims Data Analysis.

Abstract

Purpose: Epidemiological and health care data on generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) show large differences in literature. This study assessed GPP epidemiology, comorbidities and health care in Germany.

Patients and methods: Nationwide population-related German claims data were analyzed using different case definitions for internal validation.

Results: In 2019, the prevalence of GPP in Germany in adults ranged from 8 to 39 and incidence from 1 to 15 persons per 100,000. Prevalence was higher in women and increased with age. Thirty-three percent had at least one other psoriatic ICD-10 code. People with GPP had significantly more skin diseases as well as cardiovascular and mental diseases than persons without psoriasis/GPP. The average annual drug costs per capita were € 2050 and were highest in those receiving biologicals (€ 15,524). Marked differences in treatment by specialist were observed.

Conclusion: Acknowledging that the observed frequency or costs associated with GPP may be underestimated due to a few inherent limitations is important. Differences in GPP coding behavior and diagnostic accuracy may contribute to variations in epidemiology. The high disease burden is reflected by high annual costs and by significant comorbidity.