[Recurrent respiratory infections in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis: medical treatment and costs].
The objective of this study is to describe usual medical management and costs associated with recurrent respiratory infections in subjects with chronic obstructive bronchitis in France. A prospective survey was performed in Autumn 1994 on a national sample of private practice pulmonologists (N = 71). Two hundred forty-four patients, presenting at least one infection of the lower respiratory tract, were included. Bronchitis was the most frequent acute exacerbation observed (94%). Pneumonia concerned 9% of the patients. Biological tests, X-rays and pulmonary function tests were prescribed for, respectively, 59, 65 and 45% of the patients. Following the visit, 15 patients were hospitalized (6%). The direct medical cost per acute exacerbation was estimated 3,289 francs (1994 value) of which 60% were hospital-related. An average 10.4 day sick-leave was prescribed to 21% of patients in employment. For those patients, this sick-leave was associated to an extra-cost of 1,264-1,876 francs for Social Security and of 0-2,553 francs out of pocket per episode varying according to their Benefit Regimen.
Pechevis
M
M
CEMKA, Bourg-la-Reine.
Fagnani
F
F
Brin
S
S
De Zelicourt
M
M
Morales
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D011331:Private Practice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics