Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Cost-effectiveness of current and optimal treatment for adult asthma
L Simonella1, G Marks, K Sanderson
1School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales. Australia.
Background:
This article is part of a project to determine the cost-effectiveness of averting the burden of disease. We used population data to investigate the costs and benefits of allocating resources to optimal treatment for asthma in adults, using a burden of disease framework.
Methods:
We calculated the population burden of asthma in the absence of any treatment as years lived with disability (YLD), ignoring the years of life lost. We then estimated the proportion of burden averted with current interventions, the proportion that could be averted with optimally implemented current evidence-based guidelines and the direct treatment cost-effectiveness ratio in dollarA per YLD averted for both current and optimal treatment.
Results:
The direct treatment cost of current treatment of adult asthma in Australia was dollar A452 million and averted 25% of the burden with a cost-effectiveness ratio of dollar A14 000/YLD averted. Optimal treatment and optimal compliance would cost dollar A627 million and avert 69% of the burden with a cost-effectiveness ratio of dollar A7000/YLD averted.
Conclusion:
Implementation of optimal treatment for asthma is affordable, will be more cost-effective and will significantly decrease disability.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...