Cost implications for the use of inhaled anti-inflammatory medications in the treatment of asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expected costs of treating patients with asthma with versus without inhaled anti-inflammatory medications, adjusting for other factors that also influence medical care expenditures.


METHODS
Nonlinear exponential regression analyses were used to estimate relationships between medical care expenditures and treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, sodium cromoglycate (cromolyn) or nedocromil. The regressions adjusted for differences in patients' demographics, location, plan type and severity of illness.


METHODS
Large, self-insured, corporate-sponsored medical plans represented in MarketScan database.


METHODS
7466 continuously enrolled patients with asthma.


METHODS
Treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, sodium cromoglycate or nedocromil.


METHODS
(i) Total inpatient, outpatient and pharmaceutical expenditures; and (ii) asthma-related expenditures in the 1996 calendar year.


RESULTS
If all patients had been treated with inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs, total expenditures would be expected to be about $US944.82 per patient lower, on average, than would be the case if no patients received these drugs. Asthma-related expenditures would be about $US498.74 per patient higher, on average, if all patients were treated with these drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Using inhaled anti-inflammatory agents would be associated with higher asthma-related expenditures but lower total expenditures. Treatment with inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs may represent an investment in better care that pays off with better health and lower total medical care expenditures.
Ozminkowski
R J
RJ
Outcomes Research and Econometrics, MEDSTAT Group Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. ron.ozminkowski@medstat.com
Wang
S
S
Marder
W D
WD
Azzolini
J
J
Schutt
D
D
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017835:Nedocromil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014481:United States
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D017835:Nedocromil; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium