[Cost and management of asthma attacks treated in primary care (COAX Study)]

To estimate the cost and characterize the management of asthma attacks in primary care.

Prospective, observational study of 1 year's duration. Setting. 10 physician's offices at 9 primary care centers located in 5 provinces (Asturias, Barcelona, Cadiz, Madrid, and Valencia) of Spain.

10 family physicians who saw 133 consecutive patients with an asthma attack.

Prospective, observational study; no intervention was used. Direct and indirect costs arising from asthma attacks were calculated. Episodes were treated according to the physicians' habitually used procedures; the study protocol did not specify any predetermined intervention.

The attacks were classified as mild in 43.6% of the cases, moderately severe in 43.6%, and severe in 12.8%. Of all severe attacks, 17.2% occurred in patients with intermittent asthma. The more severe the attack, the less preventive treatment patients had received previously. The mean cost of asthma attacks was 166.7 (95% CI, 146.5-192.3); 80% (132.4) (95% CI, 122.7-143.8) were direct costs and 20% (34.3) (95% CI, 17-56.2) were indirect costs. The most economical management option was to change treatment, perform diagnostic tests and have the patient attend 2 follow-up appointments with the physician.

Mean cost of each asthma attack treated in primary care was 166.7 (95% CI, 146.5-192.3), of which 80% were direct costs and 20% indirect costs.