A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The burden of adult asthma in Finland: impact of disease severity and eosinophil count on health care resource utilization
Authors: Viinanen A., Lassenius M.I., Toppila I., Karlsson A., Veijalainen L., Idänpään-Heikkilä J.J., Laitinen T.
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2019
Journal: Journal of Asthma
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF ASTHMA
Journal acronym: J ASTHMA
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 0277-0903
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02770903.2019.1633664
Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02770903.2019.1633664
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/42010879
Objective: To describe health care resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs in adult patients referred for specialist asthma care in Southwest Finland, by disease severity and blood eosinophil count (BEC).
Methods: This non-interventional, retrospective registry study (GSK ID: HO-17-17558) utilized data from patients >18 years of age on the hospital register of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. Data extraction was from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2015; the index date was the first hospital visit within this period with an International Classification of Diseases-10 diagnosis code for asthma or acute severe asthma. Patients were categorized by asthma severity (based on medication use) and BEC (<300 or >= 300 cells/mu L). Total and asthma-related HCRU and estimated costs were recorded the year following index and for calendar years 2004-2015.
Results: Overall, 14,398 patients were included; 388 had severe asthma at index. BEC was available for 3781 patients; 1434 had a BEC >= 300 cells/mu L and 2347 had a BEC <300 cells/mu L. A total of 1241 patients had severe asthma; 270 patients had severe eosinophilic asthma (severe asthma and a BEC >= 300 cells/mu L). Patients with severe versus non-severe asthma had higher total- and asthma-related outpatient visits, inpatient days, emergency room visits and costs per patient year; those with BEC >= 300 cells/mu L versus
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a substantial burden associated with severe and/or eosinophilic asthma for adults in Finland.
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