[Evaluation of the medical costs of asthma in adults during a l-year follow-up in a hospital environment].
The medical cost of asthma is difficult to measure because this syndrome is generally studied in amongst a large group of patients with chronic respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to assess the theoretical cost of the medical treatment of asthma in a group of young adults who are free from any other disease; the study lasted for one year of follow up and the treatment was given in the public hospital service. Four particular situations are identified corresponding to four stages of severity of the disease and each of these stages was given a treatment selected as the usual therapeutic regime given in a respiratory service in a public hospital. The first stage was to suit patients suffering from quarterly paroxysmal crises which tended to resolve quickly after a few days of treatment. The second stage was more severe involving patients suffering from monthly paroxysmal attacks and for whom maintenance treatment was necessary. The third stage was for those with unstable asthma with twice monthly asthmatic crises, frequent hospitalisation and continuous treatment between the attacks. In the fourth stage the patients were suffering from continuous dyspnoea which required inpatient hospital care and also intensive care. In all these cases the asthmatic disorder is burdensome both for the patient and for society, a fact which should be appreciated both by doctors and by decision makers in public health. In the average or mild cases the essential annual costs are made up of the cost of diagnosis and follow up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sansonetti
M
M
Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris.
Pretet
S
S
Guioth
P
P
Denormandie
L
L
Marsac
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000191:economics; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies / Q000191:economics; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
Evaluation du coût médical de l'asthme de l'adulte au cours d'une année de surveillance en milieu hospitalier.