Economic Burden of Pediatric Asthma in Turkey: A Cost of Illness Study from Payer Perspective

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To estimate economic burden of pediatric asthma in Turkey from payer perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cost of illness study was based on identification of per patient annual direct medical costs for the management of pediatric asthma in Turkey from payer perspective. Average per patient direct medical cost was calculated based on cost items related to outpatient visits, laboratory and radiological tests, hospitalizations and interventions, drug treatment and equipment, and co-morbidities/complications.

RESULTS: Based on total annual per patient costs calculated for outpatient admission ($113.14), laboratory-radiological tests ($35.94), hospitalizations ($725.92), drug treatment/equipment ($212.90) and co-morbidities/complications ($144.62) cost items, total per patient annual direct medical cost related to management of pediatric asthma was calculated to be $1,232.53 from payer perspective. Hospitalizations and interventions (58.9%) was the main cost driver. Direct cost for managing controlled and uncontrolled pediatric asthma were calculated to be $530.17 [key cost driver: drugs/equipment (40.0%)] and $1,023.16 [key cost driver: hospitalization/interventions (59.0%)], respectively.

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that managing patients with pediatric asthma pose a considerable burden to health economics in Turkey, with hospitalizations identified as the main cost driver and two-fold cost increment in case of uncontrolled disease.