Hospitalization cost analysis due to acute COPD exacerbations

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing health problem of the working population. Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) significantly contribute to the worsening of the disease consequently increasing treatment costs. Aim of this study was to determine direct treatment costs of AECOPD and to investigate its relation with severance and pre-hospital treatment of COPD patients.

Materials and Methods: Total number of one hundred and thirty (130) subjects included in this study were patients hospitalized due to AECOPD in the Institute specialized for pulmonary diseases. In this 1-year restrospective/prospective study among other following data were collected: prescribed respiratory drugs compliance, direct costs of hospitalization due to AECOPD and severance of AECOPD. Univariante and multivariante analysis were performed in order to correlate the data.

Results: In the year of observation direct costs of hospitalization due to AECOPD were 17.3% of total hospitalization costs. One-year pre-hospital prescribed treatment was adequately used by 41.7% and inadequately by 58.3% of patients. Average direct costs of AECOPD hospitalization was higher in inadequately treated patients compared to adequately treated. We observed negative correlation between adequate treatment and level of severance of AECOPD.

Conclusions: Hospitalization costs due to AECOPD are extremely high. There is correlation between direct treatment costs of AECOPD and both pre-hospital treatment of COPD patients and severance of AECOPD. Pre-hospital treatment of COPD can be used as predictive indicator for prevention of AECOPD with aim to reduce treatment costs of COPD.