D1.467 - Economic Burden of Allergic Diseases in Children: Global Evidence and Implications for Kyrgyzstan

Allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, are among the most prevalent chronic conditions in childhood and are associated with substantial long-term healthcare and societal costs. While the economic burden of pediatric allergic diseases is well described in high-income countries, evidence from middle-income countries remains limited.

A narrative economic analysis was performed using peer-reviewed literature retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, complemented by published international reports on pediatric allergic diseases and a structured review of available national data from Kyrgyzstan. The analysis included studies reporting cost-of-illness, healthcare utilization, and socioeconomic impact of allergic diseases in children. Direct medical costs (diagnostic procedures, pharmacotherapy, outpatient and inpatient care), indirect costs (parental work absenteeism, productivity loss), and social costs were assessed. Special attention was given to healthcare system characteristics, access to specialized allergy services, and differences between high-income and middle-income settings. Evidence was synthesized qualitatively using a comparative and health-systems perspective, with a focus on early-life allergic diseases.

Globally, allergic rhinitis affects approximately 10–30% of the population, contributing substantially to healthcare use and productivity loss. Up to 70% of patients with allergic rhinitis rely on self-medication, while only 44.3% receive a physician-confirmed diagnosis, leading to underestimation of disease burden and costs. In the United States, the annual economic burden of asthma exceeds USD 80 billion, and in the European Union allergic diseases account for approximately €55 billion annually, with indirect costs often exceeding direct medical expenses.

In Kyrgyzstan, pediatric allergic diseases are increasingly reported in the context of urbanization, air pollution, and climate-related environmental changes. The healthcare system, largely publicly funded, has limited access to specialized allergy diagnostics and treatment, resulting in delayed diagnosis and widespread self-treatment. As a consequence, a substantial proportion of direct medical costs—such as medications, diagnostic tests, and repeated outpatient visits—are borne by families. Indirect costs, including loss of parental working days, reduced household income, and long-term productivity loss, represent a significant but largely undocumented component of the economic burden in children with allergic diseases.

Allergic diseases in children impose a major and sustained economic burden worldwide. Quantitative data from high-income countries demonstrate substantial direct and indirect costs, while evidence from Kyrgyzstan indicates a disproportionate financial burden on families due to limited access to specialized care. Strengthening early diagnosis, prevention strategies, and integration of pediatric allergy services into primary healthcare systems is essential to reduce long-term health and economic consequences in middle-income countries.