Economic and health consequences of COPD patients and their spouses in Denmark-1998-2010
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Economic and health consequences of COPD patients and their spouses in Denmark-1998-2010. / Løkke, Anders; Hilberg, Ole; Kjellberg, Jakob; Ibsen, Rikke; Jennum, Poul.
In: C O P D, Vol. 11, No. 3, 06.2014, p. 237-246.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Economic and health consequences of COPD patients and their spouses in Denmark-1998-2010
AU - Løkke, Anders
AU - Hilberg, Ole
AU - Kjellberg, Jakob
AU - Ibsen, Rikke
AU - Jennum, Poul
PY - 2014/6
Y1 - 2014/6
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but longitudinal studies of the economic consequences of COPD are scarce. This study evaluated the economic consequences of COPD patients in Denmark and their spouses at a national level before and after initial diagnosis.METHODS: Using records from the Danish National Patient Registry (1998-2010), 171,557 patients with COPD and 86,260 spouses were identified; patients were compared with 664,821, and the spouses with 346,524, all controls were randomly selected and matched for age, gender and residence. Direct and indirect costs, including frequency of primary and secondary sector contacts and procedures, medication, unemployment benefits and social transfer payments were extracted from national databases for patients, spouses and controls.RESULTS: COPD patients are earning approximately half of that of controls before diagnosis. After diagnosis this effect diminishes due to people getting older and retiring from work (65 years). Total health expenses are more than twice as high in the COPD group regardless of age and gender compared to controls. Spouses of COPD patients had significantly higher rates of health-related contacts, medication use and higher socioeconomic costs compared to controls. The employment and income rates of employed spouses of COPD patients were significantly lower compared to controls.CONCLUSION: This study provides unique data on the economic consequences of COPD patients in Denmark and their spouses as well as displaying the serious health consequences for the individual spouse and society. Second, data shows substantial impact of COPD on income level and health expenses regardless of age and gender. It could be speculated that early identification and intervention might contribute to more health and economic equality between patients and controls.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but longitudinal studies of the economic consequences of COPD are scarce. This study evaluated the economic consequences of COPD patients in Denmark and their spouses at a national level before and after initial diagnosis.METHODS: Using records from the Danish National Patient Registry (1998-2010), 171,557 patients with COPD and 86,260 spouses were identified; patients were compared with 664,821, and the spouses with 346,524, all controls were randomly selected and matched for age, gender and residence. Direct and indirect costs, including frequency of primary and secondary sector contacts and procedures, medication, unemployment benefits and social transfer payments were extracted from national databases for patients, spouses and controls.RESULTS: COPD patients are earning approximately half of that of controls before diagnosis. After diagnosis this effect diminishes due to people getting older and retiring from work (65 years). Total health expenses are more than twice as high in the COPD group regardless of age and gender compared to controls. Spouses of COPD patients had significantly higher rates of health-related contacts, medication use and higher socioeconomic costs compared to controls. The employment and income rates of employed spouses of COPD patients were significantly lower compared to controls.CONCLUSION: This study provides unique data on the economic consequences of COPD patients in Denmark and their spouses as well as displaying the serious health consequences for the individual spouse and society. Second, data shows substantial impact of COPD on income level and health expenses regardless of age and gender. It could be speculated that early identification and intervention might contribute to more health and economic equality between patients and controls.
KW - Adult
KW - Age Factors
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Case-Control Studies
KW - Cost of Illness
KW - Denmark
KW - Employment
KW - Female
KW - Health Expenditures
KW - Health Services
KW - Humans
KW - Income
KW - Longitudinal Studies
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
KW - Registries
KW - Sex Factors
KW - Spouses
KW - Young Adult
U2 - 10.3109/15412555.2013.839647
DO - 10.3109/15412555.2013.839647
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24354969
VL - 11
SP - 237
EP - 246
JO - C O P D
JF - C O P D
SN - 1541-2555
IS - 3
ER -
ID: 138292831