Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in Malaysia: A Longitudinal Study

Anees ur Rehman (), Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali, Sohail Ayaz Muhammad, Sadia Shakeel, Ong Siew Chin, Irfhan Ali Bin Hyder Ali, Jaya Muneswarao and Rabia Hussain
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Anees ur Rehman: University Sains Malaysia
Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali: University Sains Malaysia
Sohail Ayaz Muhammad: University Sains Malaysia
Sadia Shakeel: University Sains Malaysia
Ong Siew Chin: University Sains Malaysia
Irfhan Ali Bin Hyder Ali: Ministry of Health Malaysia
Jaya Muneswarao: University Sains Malaysia
Rabia Hussain: University Sains Malaysia

PharmacoEconomics - Open, 2021, vol. 5, issue 1, No 5, 35-44

Abstract: Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires long-term pharmacological and non-pharmacological management that encompasses continuous economic burden on patients and society, and also results in productivity losses due to compromised quality of life. Among working-age patients, COPD is the 11th leading cause of work productivity loss. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the economic burden of COPD in Malaysia, including direct costs for the management of COPD and indirect costs due to productivity losses for COPD patients. Methodology Overall, 150 patients with an established diagnosis of COPD were followed-up for a period of 1 year from August 2018 to August 2019. An activity-based costing, ‘bottom-up’ approach was used to calculate direct costs, while indirect costs of patients were assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Results The mean annual per-patient direct cost for the management of COPD was calculated as US$506.92. The mean annual costs per patient in the management phase, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions were reported as US$395.65, US$86.4, and US$297.79, respectively; 31.66% of COPD patients visited the emergency department and 42.47% of COPD patients were admitted to the hospital due to exacerbation. The annual mean indirect cost per patient was calculated as US$1699.76. Productivity losses at the workplace were reported as 31.87% and activity limitations were reported as 17.42%. Conclusion Drugs and consumables costs were the main cost-driving factors in the management of COPD. The higher ratio of indirect cost to direct medical costs shows that therapeutic interventions aimed to prevent work productivity losses may reduce the economic burden of COPD.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s41669-020-00214-x

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