Level of bronchial asthma control and direct medical care costs among adult asthma club members: longitudinal cost of illness study
Abstract
Background. Uncontrolled bronchial asthma (BA) creates financial burden, which is expected to rise as symptom severity increases.
Objective. To quantify the direct medical care costs incurred by adult patients with BA in relation to the level of asthma control.
Design. Longitudinal cost of illness study.
Setting. Outpatient Department of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, Philippines.
Participants. 35 male and female patients above 18 years old, diagnosed to have BA and members of the Davao Asthma Club.
Main outcome measures. Level of asthma control and direct medical care costs based on patient diaries.
Main results. There were 10 males and 25 females who participated in the study, with an overall mean age of 56.86 ± 12.93 years. For the duration of the study, 24 (69%) participants had controlled asthma and 11 (31%) had uncontrolled asthma. Over a 2-month period, the overall mean direct medical care cost was PHP 3,264.66 ± 3,076.39. Cost of medications, admissions, outpatient consultations, emergency room consultations, and diagnostics account for 75.96%, 17.59%, 3.19%, 1.75%, and 1.51% of the total medical care costs, respectively. The mean direct medical care costs incurred by participants with controlled asthma was PHP 2,365.96 ± 265.43, while that of participants with uncontrolled asthma was PHP 5,225.45 ± 4,885.37 (p=0.0085).
Conclusion. Cost of medications accounted for three-fourths of the total direct medical care costs of patients with BA. The direct medical care costs incurred by patients with uncontrolled BA are significantly higher, compared to those of patients with controlled BA.
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