Economic Burden of Mild and Moderate Asthma in Adult Patients From Public Health Institutions Perspective in Mexico

OBJECTIVES: To identify the utilization of resources and estimate the direct costs of care for adult patients with mild and moderate asthma during 1 year of follow-up who attended public health institutions in Mexico.

METHODS: The modified Delphi panel method was used to obtain and validate information of clinical aspects and resource usage in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in the management of adult patients, older than 18 years, with mild or moderate asthma.

RESULTS: The final results were reported as the estimated total annual cost of the economic burden of mild and moderate asthma in adult patients. The highest estimated costs were related to the tests required for the diagnosis in patients with moderate asthma, appointments for the follow-up of moderate asthma and tests required for the diagnosis in patients with mild asthma ($17,309.56 MXN, $13,350.88 MXN and $11,142.48 MXN respectively). The lowest estimated costs were related to maintenance and control treatment for patients with mild asthma ($165.11 MXN and $421.16 MXN, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained are useful for estimating the direct medical costs associated with the care of adult patients with mild or moderate asthma in public health institutions in Mexico. The annual estimated cost per patient in relation to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up was higher in patients with moderate asthma compared to patients with mild asthma, having a greater impact due to the cost of required diagnostic tests.