Healthcare costs linked to comorbidities of psoriasis could reach billions – new study finds

New research reveals the economic toll of psoriasis-related costs might account for billions for healthcare costs and productivity loss, and suggests earlier treatment could reduce that burden up to 48%.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may be placing a far greater burden on healthcare systems and economies than previously understood, according to new international research published in Dermatology and Therapy.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (jointly referred to as ‘psoriatic disease’) are chronic non-communicable diseases with no cure that can cause pain and disability. They are closely linked to other serious NCDs, like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and more. Estimated 100 million people worldwide live with psoriasis and around 30% of them develop psoriatic arthritis.

The study, conducted by IFPA (International Federation of Psoriasis Associations), examined the economic impact of psoriatic disease’s comorbidities across Denmark, the United States and Vietnam. The study found that a substantial economic burden of psoriatic disease comes from the serious health conditions linked to the disease, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression and anxiety.

In the United States, psoriasis-linked NCDs generate an estimated USD 5.2 billion in healthcare and productivity costs every year among people with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Over the lifetime, that burden reaches USD 153 billion – an amount comparable to the annual GDP of a mid-sized European economy such as Slovakia.

In Denmark, this cost accounts for EUR 55 million annually and EUR 1.4 billion over a lifetime. In Vietnam, they account for approximately USD 22 million each year and USD 673 million over a lifetime.

The costs associated with psoriatic arthritis are even higher – estimated at USD 288.1 billion in the United States, EUR 3.5 billion in Denmark and USD 1.4 billion in Vietnam. 

Taken together, over a lifetime, moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are associated with an estimated USD 441.1 billion in healthcare and societal costs in the United States, EUR 4.9 billion in Denmark and USD 2.1 billion in Vietnam.

Despite major differences in healthcare systems and economies, researchers found a consistent pattern across all three countries: psoriatic disease is associated with substantial long-term healthcare and societal costs that extend far beyond the visible symptoms of the disease.

In this study, the researchers also examined whether more effective treatment could help reduce these costs.  They found that systemic therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can substantially reduce the burden of related comorbidities, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression by approximately 34% to 48%, depending on the treatment type and healthcare setting.

The findings showed that earlier treatment with biologic medicines for the psoriatic disease could reduce these costs by approximately USD 179.9 billion in the United States, EUR 1.5 billion in Denmark and USD 852.8 million in Vietnam.

The study suggests that earlier and more effective treatment could not only improve health outcomes for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but also substantially reduce long-term pressure on healthcare systems and economies.

Ingvar Ingvarsson, President of IFPA, said:
“We hope policymakers see these findings as a call to action. Recognizing psoriatic disease as a serious systemic disease and ensuring timely access to effective treatment is not only the right thing to do for patients – it is also a smart investment in healthier societies. Reducing the risk of comorbidities means fewer hospitalizations, less medication costs, as well as improved mental health, increased productivity and better long-term health for over 100 million people living with psoriatic disease.

"Additional real-world studies are needed to better understand the long-term impact of treatment on comorbidity prevention. However, the findings add to growing evidence that effective management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis should be viewed as an investment in both patient health and societal wellbeing,” – he added.

Source: Norton, N., Nemeth, Z., Nanda, S. et al.Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) (2026).

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