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The costs of asthma
P J Barnes1, B Jonsson, J B Klim
1National Heart and Lung Institute, Royal Brompton Hospital, UK.
The European Respiratory Journal
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Improving asthma control can significantly reduce healthcare costs. Better management, including adherence to prophylactic therapy and patient education, lowers direct and indirect expenses associated with uncontrolled asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Asthma imposes a significant global burden on healthcare resources.
- Costs are driven by uncontrolled disease, increasing with prevalence and severity.
- Poor asthma control leads to substantial direct (hospitalizations) and indirect (lost productivity) costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on asthma costs.
- To assess the effectiveness of healthcare spending on asthma.
- To identify cost savings through improved disease control.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on asthma costs.
- Analysis of cost components attributable to uncontrolled asthma.
- Estimation of potential financial savings.
Main Results:
- A large proportion of asthma costs stem from treating consequences of poor control.
- Underuse of prescribed therapy (poor compliance) significantly contributes to poor asthma control.
- Improved asthma management, including prophylactic therapy and patient education, can reduce hospitalizations and associated costs.
Conclusions:
- Improving asthma control is key to reducing healthcare expenditure.
- Financial savings are achievable by addressing the costs of uncontrolled asthma.
- Enhanced therapeutic interventions and patient education are crucial for cost reduction.