Volume : 5, Issue : 3, March - 2016

Direct Healthcare Cost of COPD in Outpatients attending a Government Tertiary Care Hospital

Krishnamoorthy K, Mathan E, Heber Anandan, Rahman Shahul Hameed O. M

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;To study the direct healthcare cost of COPD patients attending a government tertiary care hospital. Methodology: 50 patients were evaluated using questionnaire in face to face interview. Demographic characters, working status with income, number of visits to hospitals, amount spent for treatment were obtained. Results: Mean monthly income of COPD patients was Rs.4510 (&plusmn; 1648.26). Mean direct healthcare cost was Rs.296.50 per patient per month (Rs.3558 per year), for 50 patients annual direct healthcare cost is about Rs.1,77,900. 22% of patients were unable to work for a mean of 80 days (&plusmn;66.84) per year. Conclusion: COPD has a major impact in economic status and there is an urgent need to improve COPD care to prevent progression of the disease by early diagnosis, initiation of appropriate treatment, and implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation programme and COPD awareness campaigns. Further studies are needed to evaluate about the impact of COPD &amp; to assist in the disease management.</p>