COPD Patients Carry Large Economic Burden

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are sicker and use more medical resources than patients with asthma. A new study from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, reviewed the medical claims of Medicaid patients aged 40 to 64 years. The analysis included a total of 3,072 patients with asthma, 3,455 patients with COPD, and 2,604 patients with combined COPD and asthma. Compared with asthma patients, COPD patients were 16 percent and 51 percent more likely to use physician services and inpatient services, respectively; and 60 percent less likely to use outpatient services. Furthermore, compared with asthma patients, COPD patients and COPD/asthma patients’ care cost 50 percent and 5 times more for total medical services, respectively. This study is published in the July issue of the journal CHEST.