title: The net cost of asthma to North Carolina Medicaid and the influence of comorbidities that drive asthma costs.
abstract: To determine the net direct medical cost of asthma and to investigate factors influencing costs, a case-control study using data from North Carolina Medicaid (May 1996-April 1998) was used. Comparison subjects were matched 1:1 on age, gender, and race. Multivariate generalized least-squares models were estimated. The adjusted net cost of asthma (N = 27,493) was 1250 dollars. The number of beta-agonist and oral corticosteroid prescriptions was significantly associated with higher costs. The adjusted net cost of asthma to North Carolina Medicaid is approximately 1250 dollars, and the cost of asthma is influenced by beta-agonist and oral corticosteroid exposure.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Care Administration Graduate Program, The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, Athens, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Sandhya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sapra
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Bradley C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016527:Drug Costs; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists