Direct medical cost of asthma in Ankara, Turkey.
BACKGROUND
There has been no documented data regarding the cost of asthma in our country.


OBJECTIVE
In this 1-year prospective study, we aimed to determine the annual cost of asthma in Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
Direct medical cost analysis was performed in 118 patients.


RESULTS
Mean annual direct medical costs of asthma were USD 1,465.7 +/- 111.8 per capita. Medication cost comprised the majority (81%) of the total direct cost. Mean direct medical costs according to the stage of disease were USD 172.5 +/- 51.7, 860.7 +/- 70.2, 1,671.6 +/- 141.8 and 3,491.9 +/- 417.6 for stage 1 (n = 4), 2 (n = 54), 3 (n = 46) and 4 (n = 14) patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In this first study to document the cost of asthma for our region, direct cost of asthma was found to be increased with the severity of the illness. Considering the fact that medication cost comprises the major fraction of the direct cost, cost-effectiveness trials to determine the effective treatment with optimal cost for different asthma stages should be the next step.
Celik
Gulfem E
GE
Division of Allergy, Department of Chest Diseases, Cebeci Hospital, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. fcelik@dialup.ankara.edu.tr
Bavbek
Sevim
S
Paşaoğlu
Gulden
G
Mungan
Dilşad
D
Abadoğlu
Oznur
O
Harmanci
Emel
E
Misirligil
Zeynep
Z
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology