Cost analysis of asthma and copd: A case study in Düzce University Hospital

Objective: Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) impose a significant economic burden on individuals and society due to being chronic diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the costs arising from Asthma and COPD diseases from the perspectives of reimbursement agencies, hospitals, and patients. It aims to calculate unit and lifetime costs for each disease, guiding policymakers in making informed decisions regarding healthcare policies. Method: The data obtained retrospectively using qualitative method were subjected to document analysis. The scope of the study covers all asthma and COPD patients in 2022 in the Chest Diseases unit of Düzce University Health Practice and Research Center/Hospital (DUHPRC). The data of the study were obtained from the hospital information system, expert opinions, trusteeship, Revolving Capital Management Directorate, Health Implementation Communiqué (HIC) and hospital records. The study was analyzed from the perspectives of the hospital, the Social Security Institution (SSI), which is the reimbursement institution, and the patient. Results: In 2022, 232 patients with asthma were treated as outpatients at DUHPRC at a cost of 171.90₺ per patient and 14 patients treated in clinics at a cost of 7,411.2₺/patient. For COPD patients, 130 patients were treated as outpatients at a cost of 157.70₺ per patient and 111 patients were treated in the clinic at a cost of 7,434.20₺/patient. In terms of SSI perspective, asthma outpatient treatment cost is 133.14₺ per patient and clinical treatment cost is 2,071.88₺. COPD outpatient treatment cost is 127.76₺ per patient and clinical treatment cost is 2,319.64₺. From the patient perspective, it was determined that no cost was incurred since both diseases in question are chronic diseases. The social annual cost per patient for asthma is 7,583.10₺/patient and the total social annual cost is (7,583.10₺ x 6,859,102 people) 52,013,256,376.2₺ The social annual cost per patient for COPD is 9,184.90₺/patient and the total social annual cost is (9,184.90₺ x 5,504,217 people) 50,555,682,723.30₺. Conclusion: Asthma patients were found to have a higher total cost per patient than COPD patients. Increasing cases of asthma and COPD cause a significant portion of health expenditures to be allocated to asthma and especially COPD. In cases where the disease cannot be controlled, costs will increase. In order to reduce costs, necessary measures should be taken to reduce the risk of developing the disease and more cost-effective methods should be followed in the treatment of the disease. Keywords: Asthma, Economic Burden, Cost of Disease Analysis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Total Cost