title: Burden of Respiratory Disease in Korea: An Observational Study on Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, COPD, and Rhinosinusitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Asia-Pacific Burden of Respiratory Diseases (APBORD) study is a cross-sectional, observational one which has used a standard protocol to examine the disease and economic burden of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and rhinosinusitis across the Asia-Pacific region. Here, we report on symptoms, healthcare resource use, work impairment, and associated costs in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive participants aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma, AR, COPD, or rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Participants and their treating physician completed a survey detailing respiratory symptoms, healthcare resource use, and work productivity and activity impairment. Costs included direct medical cost and indirect cost associated with lost work productivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study enrolled 999 patients. Patients were often diagnosed with multiple respiratory disorders (42.8%), with asthma/AR and AR/rhinosinusitis the most frequently diagnosed combinations. Cough or coughing up phlegm was the primary reason for the medical visit in patients with a primary diagnosis of asthma and COPD, whereas nasal symptoms (watery runny nose, blocked nose, and congestion) were the main reasons in those with AR and rhinosinusitis. The mean annual cost for patients with a respiratory disease was US$8,853 (SD 11,245) per patient. Lost productivity due to presenteeism was the biggest contributor to costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respiratory disease has a significant impact on disease burden in Korea. Treatment strategies for preventing lost work productivity could greatly reduce the economic burden of respiratory disease.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kwang Ha
authors: KH
authors: Yoo
authors: Dami IM Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hae Ryun
authors: HR
authors: Ahn
authors: Seoulbom IM Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jae Kyoung
authors: JK
authors: Park
authors: Jong-Woong Kim IM Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jong Woong
authors: JW
authors: Kim
authors: Hamchun Medical Clinic, Incheon, Korea.
authors: Gui Hyun
authors: GH
authors: Nam
authors: Coco ENT Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Soon Kwan
authors: SK
authors: Hong
authors: Myung ENT Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Mee Ja
authors: MJ
authors: Kim
authors: National Allergy Asthma Bronchitis Institute, Kolkata, India.
authors: Aloke Gopal
authors: AG
authors: Ghoshal
authors: Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Abdul Razak Bin Abdul
authors: AR
authors: Muttalif
authors: Division of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors: Horng Chyuan
authors: HC
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Sanguansak
authors: S
authors: Thanaviratananich
authors: Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors: Shalini
authors: S
authors: Bagga
authors: Merck & Co., Inc. (retired), Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors: Rab
authors: R
authors: Faruqi
authors: Merck & Co., Inc. (retired), Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
authors: Shiva
authors: S
authors: Sajjan
authors: Optum, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Santwona
authors: S
authors: Baidya
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: De Yun
authors: de Y
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. shcho@snu.ac.kr.
authors: Sang Heon
authors: SH
authors: Cho
keywords: Korea; Respiratory tract disease; cost of illness; health care costs