Economic Burden of COPD in Algeria: A Retrospective Analysis of Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs
Author(s)
Rachida Khellafi, Professor1, Gharnaout Merzak, Professor2, Abd el Bassat Ketfi, Professor1, Souad Souilah, Professor1, Karim Khennouf, Professor1, Samir Benamar, Professor3, Lila Ihadjadene, PHD4, Sara Firane, PhD5, KAOUTAR YENNOUNE, PHD6, Zakia Hachelaf, MBA, MSc6.
1University of Health Sciences, Algiers, Algeria, 2Algerian Pharmaceutical Federation, Algiers, Algeria, 3CHU Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria, 4CHU Tizi Ouzou, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, 5CHU Blida, Blida, Algeria, 6Market Access Manager, Sanofi, Algiers, Algeria.
1University of Health Sciences, Algiers, Algeria, 2Algerian Pharmaceutical Federation, Algiers, Algeria, 3CHU Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria, 4CHU Tizi Ouzou, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, 5CHU Blida, Blida, Algeria, 6Market Access Manager, Sanofi, Algiers, Algeria.
OBJECTIVES: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) places a substantial burden on health systems in low- and middle-income countries, yet real-world cost data remain scarce. In Algeria, despite growing awareness of COPD’s impact, its economic burden is not well quantified. This study estimates the direct and indirect costs of COPD management and examines healthcare resource use across severity stages, focusing on GOLD 2023 Group E patients.
METHODS: A retrospective, prevalence-based cost-of-illness study was conducted over one year using data from semi-structured interviews with pulmonologists from 7 University Hospital Centers and Public Hospital Establishments across Algeria. It included 165 COPD patient profiles classified by GOLD 2023 (Groups A, B, E) based on symptoms and exacerbation history. Direct costs covered hospitalizations, ICU stays, emergency visits, outpatient care, medications, diagnostics, and transport. Indirect costs reflected productivity loss. Estimates used local health tariffs and expert validation. National projections assumed 9,2% COPD prevalence among adults 40+, estimating 357,221 patients in Groups A&B and 1,046,147 in Group E.
RESULTS: The total annual cost burden of COPD across the study population was estimated at €6.66 billion, with COPD Group E accounting for the majority (€6.34 billion) compared to Group A&B (€313 million). On a per-patient basis, Group E incurred a substantially higher annual cost (€6,065) than Group A&B (€877), indicating a more intensive resource utilization profile. Hospitalization and emergency services were the predominant cost drivers, accounting for 74 % (€4.05 billion) of total direct costs in Group E. Pharmaceutical expenditures were also significant, particularly for long-acting bronchodilators (LABA), anticholinergics (LAMA), and fixed combination therapies. Additionally, other costs and indirect costs—contributed over €1.69 billion to the total economic burden.
CONCLUSIONS: COPD poses a significant economic burden, especially in Group E, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to reduce acute care use and enhance cost-effective management for high-burden patients.
METHODS: A retrospective, prevalence-based cost-of-illness study was conducted over one year using data from semi-structured interviews with pulmonologists from 7 University Hospital Centers and Public Hospital Establishments across Algeria. It included 165 COPD patient profiles classified by GOLD 2023 (Groups A, B, E) based on symptoms and exacerbation history. Direct costs covered hospitalizations, ICU stays, emergency visits, outpatient care, medications, diagnostics, and transport. Indirect costs reflected productivity loss. Estimates used local health tariffs and expert validation. National projections assumed 9,2% COPD prevalence among adults 40+, estimating 357,221 patients in Groups A&B and 1,046,147 in Group E.
RESULTS: The total annual cost burden of COPD across the study population was estimated at €6.66 billion, with COPD Group E accounting for the majority (€6.34 billion) compared to Group A&B (€313 million). On a per-patient basis, Group E incurred a substantially higher annual cost (€6,065) than Group A&B (€877), indicating a more intensive resource utilization profile. Hospitalization and emergency services were the predominant cost drivers, accounting for 74 % (€4.05 billion) of total direct costs in Group E. Pharmaceutical expenditures were also significant, particularly for long-acting bronchodilators (LABA), anticholinergics (LAMA), and fixed combination therapies. Additionally, other costs and indirect costs—contributed over €1.69 billion to the total economic burden.
CONCLUSIONS: COPD poses a significant economic burden, especially in Group E, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to reduce acute care use and enhance cost-effective management for high-burden patients.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE358
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)