title: Lung cancer in hospitalized patients of Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify admission rates, treatments and healthcare cost of lung cancer
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on illness of inpatients and casualties came from hospitals nationwide and from hospital withdrawals from the 3 health insurance schemes in the fiscal year 2010. The data included 96% of the population and were analyzed by age groups, hospital levels, treatment and insurance schemes in patients with lung cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lung cancer occurred in 27,896 of all admissions, contributing to admission rate of 60 per 100,000 persons. The admission rates were markedly increased in male more than 60 years old. The majority of treatments were palliative care 61.38%, chemotherapy 36.81%. The average length of stay and hospital charges in three insurance schemes groups: government welfare, social welfare and universal coverage were 40,571.29 Baht/9.86 days, 43,342.54 Baht/8.24 days and 17,897.75 Baht/6.08 days, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Admission rates showed that lung cancer increased with age. The highest rate was observed in more than 60 years old. The window gap in hospital charges and length of stay in three insurance schemes are interesting. Thus, analysis of treatment protocol should be examined.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. anakapong@kku.ac.th
authors.forename: Anakapong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phunmanee
authors.forename: Kosin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wirasorn
authors.forename: Yupa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Thavornpitak
authors.forename: Aumkhae
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sookprasert
authors.forename: Jarin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chindaprasirt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017722:Hospital Charges / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology