[Costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients treated in ambulatory care in Poland]

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. A cost-of-illness study aims to determine the total economic impact of a disease or health condition on society through the identification, measurement, and valuation of all direct and indirect costs. Exacerbations are believed to be a major cost driver in COPD. The aim of this study was to examine direct, mean costs of COPD in Poland under usual clinical practice form societal perspective.

Material and methods: It was an observational bottom-up-cost-of-illness study, based on a retrospective sample of patients presenting with COPD in pulmonary ambulatory care facilities in Poland. Total medical resources consumption of a sample were collected in 2007/2008 year by physician - lung specialists. Direct costs of COPD were evaluated based on data from different populations of five clinical hospitals and eight out-patient clinics. Resources utilisation and cost data are summarised as mean values per patient per year. 95% confidence intervals were derived using percentile bootstrapping.

Results: Total medicals resources consumption of a COPD patient per year was 1007 EURO (EUR 1 = PLN 4.0; year 2008). Among this cost 606 EURO was directly related to COPD follow up, 105 EURO was related to ambulatory exacerbation, and 296 EURO was related to exacerbation treated in hospital.

Conclusions: The burden of COPD itself appeared to be considerable magnitude for society in Poland.