Cost-effectiveness analysis of a state funded programme for control of severe asthma

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 82
• Main Authors: Franco, Rosana, Santos, Andreia C, do Nascimento, Harrison F, Souza-Machado, Carolina, Ponte, Eduardo, Souza-Machado, Adelmir, Loureiro, Sebastião, Barreto, Maurício L, Rodrigues, Laura C, Cruz, Alvaro A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 17-05-2007; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - administration & dosage; Adult; Aged; Asthma; Asthma - economics; Asthma - mortality; Asthma - therapy; Brazil - epidemiology; Control; Cost of Illness; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Costs and Cost Analysis; Educational Status; Evaluation; Female; Government finance; Health promotion; Health Resources - economics; Humans; Male; Management; Middle Aged; National Health Programs - economics; Program Evaluation; Quality of Life; Respiratory Function Tests - economics; Respiratory Function Tests - utilization; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate; Brazil; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-7-82

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases and a major economical burden to families and health systems. Whereas efficacy of current therapeutical options has been clearly established, cost-effectiveness analysis of public health interventions for asthma control are scarce.
81 patients with severe asthma (12-75 years) joining a programme in a reference clinic providing free asthma medication were asked retrospectively about costs and events in the previous 12 months. During 12 months after joining the programme, information on direct and indirect costs, asthma control by lung function, symptoms and quality of life were collected. The information obtained was used to estimate cost-effectiveness of the intervention as compared to usual public health asthma management. Sensitivity analysis was conducted.
64 patients concluded the study. During the 12-months follow-up within the programme, patients had 5 fewer days of hospitalization and 68 fewer visits to emergency/non scheduled medical visits per year, on average. Asthma control scores improved by 50% and quality of life by 74%. The annual saving in public resources was US$387 per patient. Family annual income increased US$512, and family costs were reduced by US$733.
A programme for control of severe asthma in a developing country can reduce morbidity, improve quality of life and save resources from the health system and patients families.