Tuberc Respir Dis.  2019 Jan;82(1):27-34. 10.4046/trd.2018.0035.

Direct and Indirect Costs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Korea

• Kim C
• Kim Y
• Yang DW
• Rhee CK
• Kim SK
• Hwang YI
• Park YB
• Lee YM
• Jin S
• Park J
• Hahm CR
• Park CH
• Park SY
• Jung CK
• Kim YI
• Lee SH
• Yoon HK
• Lee JH
• Lim SY
• Yoo KH

• KMID: 2441727
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2018.0035

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Understanding the burden of disease is important to establish cost-effective treatment strategies and to allocate healthcare resources appropriately. However, little reliable information is available regarding the overall economic burden imposed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korea.
METHODS
This study is a multicenter observational research on the COPD burden in Korea. Total COPD costs were comprised of three categories: direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. For direct medical costs, institutional investigation was performed at 13 medical facilities mainly based on the claims data. For direct non-medical and indirect costs, site-based surveys were administered to the COPD patients during routine visits. Total costs were estimated using the COPD population defined in the recent report.
RESULTS
The estimated total costs were approximately 1,245 million US dollar (1,408 billion Korean won). Direct medical costs comprised approximately 20% of the total estimated costs. Of these, formal medical costs held more than 80%. As direct non-medical costs, nursing costs made up the largest percentage (39%) of the total estimated costs. Costs for COPD-related loss of productivity formed four fifths of indirect costs, and accounted for up to 33% of the total costs.
CONCLUSION
This study shows for the first time the direct and indirect costs of COPD in Korea. The total costs were enormous, and the costs of nursing and lost productivity comprised approximately 70% of total costs. The results provide insight for an effective allocation of healthcare resources and to inform establishment of strategies to reduce national burden of COPD.

Keyword

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Health Care Costs; Korea

MeSH Terms

Delivery of Health Care
Efficiency
Health Care Costs
Humans
Korea*
Nursing
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*

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