In addition to the clinical burden, asthma is responsible for a high economic burden. However, little is known about the economic burden of asthma prior to death.
We performed an economic analysis to describe the costs during 12 and 24 months prior to asthma death between 2013 and 2017 in France.
An observational cohort study was established using the French national health insurance database. Direct medical and non-medical costs, as well as costs related to absence from the workplace, were included in the analysis.
In total, 3,829 patients were included in the final analysis. Over 24 and 12 months prior to death, total medical costs per patient were €27,542 [26,545–28,641] and €16,815 [16,164–17,545], respectively. Total medical costs clearly increased over 24 months prior to death. Over 12 months prior to death, costs increased significantly according to age categories, with mean total costs of €8,592, €15,038, and €17,845, respectively, for the categories <18 years old, 18–75 years old, and 75+ years old (
To conclude, the economic burden of asthma death is high and increases with time, age, and SABA dispensation.