Patient characteristics associated with all-cause healthcare costs of alopecia areata in the United States

Evidence on the factors of medical costs involved in the care of people with alopecia areata (AA) is limited, but mounting evidence points to significant variation in financial impact for patients with AA in the absence of effective treatments. This study explored drivers of medical costs among privately insured adults and adolescents with AA in the United States. The study found that patients of middle age (45-64 years), located in the Northeast region, with comprehensive health insurance, with greater extent of hair loss, or with other health disorders face greater all-cause medical costs. Adult females of young (18-44 years) and older (65+ years) age also faced greater costs on average. This research confirms high variability in the burden of AA, pointing to population subgroups that may be more affected by the disease and its commonly associated disorders.