Economic burden of comorbidities among COPD Patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations: an analysis of a commercially insured population. (19th May 2022) - Shah, Chintal H.
ABSTRACT: Introduction: This study quantifies costs associated with comorbid conditions among adults diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience acute exacerbations (AECOPD) needing inpatient hospitalization. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used 2006–2015 IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus data, a health plan claims database. Patients aged 40–64 years, with AECOPD, defined as an inpatient hospitalization for a COPD-related diagnosis were included. The impact of comorbidities on AECOPD costs (costs of the COPD-related inpatient stay plus healthcare services used 30 days post-discharge) was determined using multivariable regression. The models adjusted for clinical complications, previous utilization, age, sex, region, year, length of hospitalization, and season of admission. Results: Among these COPD patients, 89.5% had at least 1 comorbidity. The mean cost for AECOPD was 2015 US $19, 687 (SD: 27, 035, median: 11, 539). Congestive heart failure, lipid disorders, cancer, and presence of any of the 10 most frequent comorbidities were associated with $1, 921 (95% confidence interval (CI): 977–2, 866), $1, 619 (95% CI: 967–2, 272), $8, 347 (95% CI: 7, 236–9, 458), and $4, 433 (95% CI: 3, 598–5, 268) higher costs, respectively than corresponding individuals without these comorbid conditions. Patients with depressive disorders were associated with $1, 592 (95% CI: 828–2, 355) lower costs compared to those without depressive disorders. Conclusion: COPD comorbidity imposes a significant economic burden on AECOPD.