C Kim1, K H Yoo2, C K Rhee3, H K Yoon4, Y S Kim5, S W Lee6, Y-M Oh6, S-D Lee6, J H Lee7, K-J Kim8, J-H Kim9, Y B Park1. 1. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. 7. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 8. Department of Clinical Research Support, National Strategic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 9. Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence and economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing worldwide. However, little information is available concerning COPD-associated health care use and costs in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To analyse 1) health care use, medical costs and medication use in 2009, and 2) changes in costs and medication use over 5 years (2006-2010). DESIGN: Using the database of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, COPD patients were identified by searching on both ICD-10 codes and COPD medication. RESULTS A total of 192,496 COPD patients were identified in 2009. Total medical costs per person were US$2803 ± 3865; the average annual number of days of out-patient care and days of hospitalisation were respectively 40 ± 36 and 11 ± 33. Methylxanthine and systemic beta-agonists were the most frequently used drugs. However, the number of prescriptions for long-acting muscarinic antagonist increased rapidly. The total cost of COPD-related medications increased by 33.1% over 5 years. CONCLUSION: The present study provides new insight into health care use and the economic burden of COPD in Korea. Changing patterns of COPD-related medication use could help inform COPD management policies.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence and economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increasing worldwide. However, little information is available concerning COPD-associated health care use and costs in Korea. OBJECTIVE: To analyse 1) health care use, medical costs and medication use in 2009, and 2) changes in costs and medication use over 5 years (2006-2010). DESIGN: Using the database of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, COPDpatients were identified by searching on both ICD-10 codes and COPD medication. RESULTS A total of 192,496 COPDpatients were identified in 2009. Total medical costs per person were US$2803 ± 3865; the average annual number of days of out-patient care and days of hospitalisation were respectively 40 ± 36 and 11 ± 33. Methylxanthine and systemic beta-agonists were the most frequently used drugs. However, the number of prescriptions for long-acting muscarinic antagonist increased rapidly. The total cost of COPD-related medications increased by 33.1% over 5 years. CONCLUSION: The present study provides new insight into health care use and the economic burden of COPD in Korea. Changing patterns of COPD-related medication use could help inform COPD management policies.
Authors: Jose Luis López-Campos; María Abad Arranz; Carmen Calero Acuña; Fernando Romero Valero; Ruth Ayerbe García; Antonio Hidalgo Molina; Ricardo Ismael Aguilar Pérez-Grovas; Francisco García Gil; Francisco Casas Maldonado; Laura Caballero Ballesteros; María Sánchez Palop; Dolores Pérez-Tejero; Alejandro Segado; Jose Calvo Bonachera; Bárbara Hernández Sierra; Adolfo Doménech; Macarena Arroyo Varela; Francisco González Vargas; Juan Jose Cruz Rueda Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-11-06 Impact factor: 3.240