Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe patient characteristics, treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization direct and indirect healthcare costs among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Dubai, providing a contemporary assessment of disease management and economic burden using real-world claims data.
METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted using administrative health insurance claims from the Dubai e-claims link database for 2022-2023. Adult insured residents with a confirmed COPD diagnosis were identified using ICD-10-CM codes. Analyses assessed patient demographics, treatment patterns by drug class (including bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and combination therapies), and HRU across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care settings. COPD severity was assessed using diagnosis patterns and utilization proxies. Direct medical costs were evaluated by claims, while indirect costs were estimated using available DALYs data.
RESULTS: A total of 2,643 unique COPD patients were identified in 2023, with higher disease severity observed among older age groups. From 2022 to 2023, both claimants and claims increased, alongside a shift in HRU characterized by reduced inpatient utilization and increased outpatient and emergency care. Despite higher utilization, total direct medical costs and cost per member declined in 2023. Inpatient care, captured through DRG-coded claims, remained the largest contributor to direct costs. Indirect costs also declined, reflecting reduced reliance on prolonged inpatient care. Treatment patterns shifted toward combination therapies (e.g., LABA+ICS) and away from single-agent regimens.
CONCLUSIONS: This real-world analysis demonstrates that while COPD-related healthcare utilization in Dubai increased between 2022 and 2023, both direct and indirect costs declined, driven by a shift from inpatient to outpatient and emergency management. These trends are likely influenced by structured care pathways and payment reforms, including EJADA and the DRG-based payment system implemented by the Dubai Health Authority. The findings provide locally relevant evidence to support healthcare planning, resource allocation, and value-based COPD care initiatives.