Cost, Morbidity, and Control of Asthma in Hungary: The Hunair Study

Abstract

Inhaled corticosteroids was the most frequent treatment prescribed for asthma patients in the study. However, patients reported substantial asthma-related morbidity. Children used more resources than adults, despite being classified as having better control. Patients with poor control of asthma symptoms incurred the highest societal cost, improving patient control may reduce cost to society by 40% or more.

Update on asthma control in five European countries: results of a 2008 survey

“…These percentages equate to a gain of 2.6 h, 6 h and 6.7 h, respectively, in a 40-h working week for patients with at least well-controlled asthma [19]. Previous studies have also found significant direct and indirect costs associated with poorly controlled asthma [20,21]. The Hunair study [20] assessed 378 paediatric and 711 adult asthma patients in Hungary and found patients with poor asthma control had a significantly higher number of ER/hospital visits and general practitioner visits compared to patients with moderate or good control.…”

“…Previous studies have also found significant direct and indirect costs associated with poorly controlled asthma [20,21]. The Hunair study [20] assessed 378 paediatric and 711 adult asthma patients in Hungary and found patients with poor asthma control had a significantly higher number of ER/hospital visits and general practitioner visits compared to patients with moderate or good control. This study also showed that patients with, or parents of patients with, good asthma control missed significantly fewer work days compared with those with moderate or poor control.…”

Factors associated with uncontrolled asthma in Porto Alegre, Brazil

“…Although this measure has not yet been validated, it simultaneously takes into account several markers of uncontrolled asthma (5). More recently, several studies have used this measure to evaluate asthma control (3)(4)(5)8,17).…”

“…In the past, a number of markers have been separately considered to define the health status of asthmatic subjects (5) and, more recently, to evaluate asthma control (3,5,8,17). In the present study, we used a composite measure of asthma control according to a scheme based on GINA guidelines (2).…”

“…The understanding of these factors from studies within each country can aid in the development of a rational approach to the allocation of resources aimed at obtaining asthma control and reducing the morbidity of this disease and the economic burden it entails (6,8).…”