Healthcare costs and resource utilization of asthma in Germany: a claims data analysis

Abstract

IntroductionAsthma is associated with a substantial economic burden on the German Statutory Health Insurance.Aims and objectivesTo determine costs and resource utilization associated with asthma and to analyze the impact of disease severity on subgroups based on age and gender.MethodsA claims database analysis from the statutory health insurance perspective was conducted. Patients with an ICD-10-GM code of asthma were extracted from a 10 % sample of a large German sickness fund. Five controls for each asthma patient matched by age and gender were randomly selected from the same database. Costs and resource utilization were calculated for each individual in the asthma and control group. Incremental asthma-related costs were calculated as the mean cost difference. Based on prescribed asthma medication, patients were classified as intermittent or persistent. In addition, age groups of ≤5, 6–18, and >18 years were analyzed separately and gender differences were investigated.ResultsOverall, 49,668 individuals were included in the asthma group. On average, total annual costs per patient were €753 higher (p = 0.000) compared to the control group (€2,168 vs. €1,415). Asthma patients had significantly higher (p = 0.000) outpatient (€217), inpatient (€176), and pharmacy costs (€259). Incremental asthma-related total costs were higher for patients with persistent asthma compared to patients with intermittent asthma (€1,091 vs. €408). Women aged >18 years with persistent asthma had the highest difference in costs compared to their controls (€1,207; p < 0.0001). Corresponding healthcare resource utilization was significantly higher in the asthma group (p = 0.000).ConclusionsThe treatment of asthma is associated with an increased level of healthcare resource utilization and significantly higher healthcare costs. Asthma imposes a substantial economic burden on sickness funds.

Real-life effectiveness of asthma treatment with a fixed-dose fluticasone/formoterol pressurised metered-dose inhaler – Results from a non-interventional study

“…When compared with the results of other studies, the annualised rates of asthma-related unscheduled physician visits, emergency visits, hospital admissions and days spent in hospital appeared to be low. For example, data from the German Statutory Health Insurance database showed annual rates of asthma-related hospital admissions and days of hospitalisation in 2010 of 0.08 and 0.56, respectively [38]. In our study, the mean numbers of asthma-related hospital admissions and days spent in hospital were 0.02 and 0.12 per year, respectively.…”

Trends and regional distribution of outpatient claims for asthma, 2009–2016, Germany

“…We conclude that asthma is a common disorder in Germany with an increasing disease burden. A recent estimate of a current annual cost of asthma treatment per patient of €2168 Euros (€) 43 applied to our calculated number of prevalent asthma cases in 2016 (> 4 million) results in a cost to the German health-care system of over €8 billion. To control this increasing asthma prevalence and its associated costs, more research into the prevention and causes of asthma is required.…”

Does the Use of Asthma-Controller Medication in Accordance with Guidelines Reduce the Incidence of Acute Exacerbations and Healthcare Costs?

“…Because asthma controller medications are effective in preventing acute exacerbations [14][15][16] and in reducing medical resources [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] , long-term treatment with controller medication is warranted in asthma management. On this basis, the qualitative assessment of asthma management was performed in South Korea.…”