Healthcare cost attributable to bronchiolitis: A population-based cohort study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Health Economics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Bronchiolitis is a common viral respiratory infection in infants.
• Understanding the economic burden of bronchiolitis is crucial for healthcare resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the 1-year attributable healthcare costs associated with bronchiolitis in infants.
• To identify factors influencing these costs.

Main Methods:

• A population-based matched cohort study was conducted using health administrative data.
• Infants under 12 months diagnosed with bronchiolitis were propensity-score matched with controls.
• A generalized estimating equation model was used to calculate mean attributable 1-year costs.

Main Results:

• The mean 1-year attributable cost of bronchiolitis was $4,313 per infant.
• Hospitalizations accounted for the largest portion of costs ($2,847).
• Costs were significantly higher for infants with comorbidities ($17,530), younger infants (<3 months), and those with low birthweight.

Conclusions:

• Bronchiolitis incurs substantial healthcare costs, five times higher in the first six months and two times higher in the subsequent six months compared to no bronchiolitis.
• The majority of expenses occur within the initial 10 days post-diagnosis, primarily driven by hospitalization costs.
• Infants with comorbidities, younger age, and low birthweight represent higher-cost subgroups.