Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey: Economic Impact of COPD in 12 Countries.
BACKGROUND
The Continuing to Confront COPD International Patient Survey estimated the prevalence and burden of COPD across 12 countries. Using data from this survey we evaluated the economic impact of COPD.


METHODS
This cross-sectional, population-based survey questioned 4,343 subjects aged 40 years and older, fulfilling a case definition of COPD based on self-reported physician diagnosis or symptomatology. Direct cost measures were based on exacerbations of COPD (treated and those requiring emergency department visits and/or hospitalisation), contacts with healthcare professionals, and COPD medications. Indirect costs were calculated from work loss values using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scale. Combined direct and indirect costs estimated the total societal costs per patient.


RESULTS
The annual direct costs of COPD ranged from $504 (South Korea) to $9,981 (USA), with inpatient hospitalisations (5 countries) and home oxygen therapy (3 countries) being the key drivers of direct costs. The proportion of patients completely prevented from working due to their COPD ranged from 6% (Italy) to 52% (USA and UK) with 8 countries reporting this to be ≥20%. Total societal costs per patient varied widely from $1,721 (Russia) to $30,826 (USA) but a consistent pattern across countries showed greater costs among those with increased burden of COPD (symptoms, health status and more severe disease) and a greater number of comorbidities.


CONCLUSIONS
The economic burden of COPD is considerable across countries, and requires targeted resources to optimise COPD management encompassing the control of symptoms, prevention of exacerbations and effective treatment of comorbidities. Strategies to allow COPD patients to remain in work are important for addressing the substantial wider societal costs.
Health Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
Jason
J
Foo
GlaxoSmithKline, Real World Evidence, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
Sarah H
SH
Landis
GlaxoSmithKline, Real World Evidence, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
Joe
J
Maskell
University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Centre, Seoul, South Korea.
Yeon-Mok
YM
Oh
University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Thys
T
van der Molen
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
MeiLan K
MK
Han
University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America.
David M
DM
Mannino
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Masakazu
M
Ichinose
GlaxoSmithKline, Value Evidence Outcomes, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
Yogesh
Y
Punekar
D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006295:Health Resources / Q000191:economics; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000191:economics*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012426:Russia; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States