RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Costs of exacerbations in COPD
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1000
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Sven-Arne Jansson
A1 Helena Backman
A1 Eva Rönmark
A1 Bo Lundbäck
A1 Anne Lindberg
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1000.abstract
AB BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic and disabling diseases worldwide, and exacerbations affect resource burden and healthcare costs.AimTo examine the costs of exacerbations in relation to degree of severity of COPD and of exacerbations.MethodsThe study sample was identified in earlier clinical examinations of general population cohorts within the OLIN (Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden) studies. The cohort consisted initially of 993 subjects with COPD according to the GOLD spirometric criteria. In 2009-2010, telephone interviews on resource utilization were made to a sample of 244 subjects, stratified by disease severity. Interviews were performed quarterly to minimize the risk of recall bias. Exacerbations were identified by asking questions on extra resource use due to respiratory problems, and were divided into different levels of severity, depending on intensity of resource use.ResultsAt least one exacerbation was reported by 84 subjects (36%). A significant relationship was found between severity of exacerbations and costs. The mean annual total cost per exacerbation was: €9 (mild), €21 (mild/moderate), €205 (moderate), and €2,715 (severe). A significant relationship was also found between severity of COPD and costs. The mean annual total cost according to disease severity was: €71 (mild), €209 (moderate), €1,133 (severe), and €3,298 (very severe). The prevalence-weighted cost of all exacerbations for an average subject with COPD was about €200, accounting for about 35% of the direct costs of COPD.ConclusionsThe costs for exacerbations increase considerably by severity of exacerbation and also by severity of COPD. The prevention of exacerbations could be very cost-effective.