Economic consequences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important preventable cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Little is known, however, about the economic burden of COPD imposed on society. This paper reviews the medical and economic literature pertaining to COPD in order to provide information and perspective for clinicians and those responsible for making payment and resource allocation decisions. There are only two published estimates of the burden of illness of COPD. In 1970, the estimated societal burden of emphysema was US$1.5 billion. Average individual expenditures for persons with COPD belonging to Medicare health maintenance organizations have been estimated to be more than twice as high as similar individuals without COPD. The burden of COPD on society is expected to increase substantially over the next three decades. COPD is a unique public health challenge to society now and for the foreseeable future.