OBJECTIVES:

Severe asthma is responsible for a considerable amount of the burden associated with asthma. This study aimed to estimate the economic impact of severe asthma from the Spanish societal perspective through the annual estimation of the associated direct and indirect costs.

METHODS:

Observational, longitudinal, retrospective, multi-centre study carried out in 20 Spanish secondary settings (Pulmonology and Allergy Services) among a representative sample of patients aged ≥18, diagnosed with severe asthma according to ERS/ATS consensus and who have not experienced an exacerbation in the previous 2 months. Asthma-related healthcare resource utilization (routine and emergency visits, hospitalizations, tests, pharmacologic treatment) as well as asthma-related days off work were collected over a retrospective 12-month period from medical records review (inclusion period: June to November 2016). Total costs were calculated by multiplying the natural resource units used within 1 year by the corresponding unit cost (€ 2017).

RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS:

The economic impact of severe asthma in Spain amounts to 8,250€/patient from the societal perspective.