Direct medical cost of asthma in Ankara, Turkey.

BACKGROUND

There has been no documented data regarding the cost of asthma in our country.

OBJECTIVE

In this 1-year prospective study, we aimed to determine the annual cost of asthma in Ankara, Turkey.

METHODS

Direct medical cost analysis was performed in 118 patients.

RESULTS

Mean annual direct medical costs of asthma were USD 1,465.7 +/- 111.8 per capita. Medication cost comprised the majority (81%) of the total direct cost. Mean direct medical costs according to the stage of disease were USD 172.5 +/- 51.7, 860.7 +/- 70.2, 1,671.6 +/- 141.8 and 3,491.9 +/- 417.6 for stage 1 (n = 4), 2 (n = 54), 3 (n = 46) and 4 (n = 14) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this first study to document the cost of asthma for our region, direct cost of asthma was found to be increased with the severity of the illness. Considering the fact that medication cost comprises the major fraction of the direct cost, cost-effectiveness trials to determine the effective treatment with optimal cost for different asthma stages should be the next step.