COPD in the Working Age Population: The Economic Impact on Both Patients and Government

• Published in: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 629 - 639
• Main Authors: van Boven, J.F.M., Vegter, S., van der Molen, T., Postma, M.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Informa Healthcare 01.12.2013; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Cost of Illness; Cross-Sectional Studies; disability; Efficiency; Female; Health Care Costs; health economics of COPD; Humans; Income; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Pneumology; productivity; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - economics; retirement; tax; Taxes - economics; Netherlands; Human; Lung disease; Respiratory disease; Government; Health; tax; retirement; Disability; Chronic; productivity; Bronchus disease; Population; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Economic impact; health economics of COPD
• DOI: 10.3109/15412555.2013.813446
• ISSN: 1541-2555

AbstractObjectives: To explore the full economic impact, on both patients and government, as a result of COPD in the working age population. Methods: The economic impact of COPD due to medical treatment, impaired productivity and early retirement was assessed in a cross sectional cost analysis of the Dutch COPD population aged 45-64 years. The costing year was 2009 and input parameters were derived from both national data sources and the international COPD uncovered survey. Results: While direct medical costs for COPD patients of working age were relatively low (€91 million), the amount of lost productivity (income) due to early retirement (€223 million) exceeded over two times their medical costs. In addition, costs for the government were considerable because of lost tax revenues (€77 million) and COPD related disability pensions paid (€180 million). Apart from lost productivity due to early retirement, costs due to impaired productivity for working COPD patients were €63 million. Conclusions: The costs of COPD for both patients of working age as for the government were considerable, making this population a priority for prevention and intervention programs of healthcare providers, employers and government.