Author/Authors :
SHARIFI, Laleh Asthma and Allergy Research Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Raheleh DASHTI Asthma and Allergy Research Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , POURPAK, Zahra Asthma and Allergy Research Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , FAZLOLLAHI, Mohammad Reza Asthma and Allergy Research Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , MOVAHEDI, Masoud Dept. of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - Children’s Medical Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , CHAVOSHZADEH, Zahra Pediatric Infectious Research Center - Mofid Children Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , SOHEILI, Habib Dept. of Allergy and Immunology - Amirkabir Hospital - Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran , BOKAIE, Saied Dept. of Epidemiology - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran , KAZEMNEJA, Anoushiravan Dept. of Biostatistics - School of Medical Sciences - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , MOIN, Mostafa Asthma and Allergy Research Institute - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Asthma is the first cause of children hospitalization and need for emergency and impose high economic burden on the families and governments. We aimed to investigate the economic burden of pediatric asthma and its contribution to family health budget in Iran. Methods: Overall, 283 pediatric asthmatic patients, who referred to two tertiary pediatric referral centers in Tehran capital of Iran, included from 2010-2012. Direct and indirect asthma-related costs were recorded during one-year period. Data were statistically analyzed for finding association between the costs and factors that affect this cost (demographic variables, tobacco smoke exposure, control status of asthma and asthma concomitant diseases). Results: Ninety-two (32.5%) females and 191(67.5%) males with the age range of 1-16 yr old were included. We found the annual total pediatrics asthma related costs were 367.97±23.06 USD. The highest cost belonged to the medications (69%) and the lowest one to the emergency (2%). We noticed a significant increasing in boys’ total costs (P=0.011), and 7-11 yr old age group (P=0.018). In addition, we found significant association between total asthma costs and asthma control status (P=0.011). Conclusion: The presence of an asthmatic child can consume nearly half of the health budget of a family. Our results emphasis on improving asthma management programs, which leads to successful control status of the disease and reduction in economic burden of pediatric asthma.
Keywords :
Asthma , Economic burden , Direct cost , Indirect cost
