Cost of severe asthma in Brazil-systematic review

The use of systemic corticosteroids in asthma management in Latin American countries

The stepwise treatment approach recommended by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) includes systemic corticosteroids (SCS) suggested as a final step if asthma is severe and/or difficult to treat. Yet, despite the effectiveness of SCS, they are also associated with potentially irreversible adverse outcomes such as type 2 diabetes, adrenal suppression, and cardiovascular disease. Based on recent data indicating that the risk of developing these conditions can increase after as few as 4 short-term (burst) courses of SCS, even patients with mild asthma who receive SCS occasionally for exacerbations are also at risk of these events. As a result, recent updates by GINA and the Latin American Thoracic Society recommend decreasing SCS use by optimizing administration of non-SCS therapies and/or increasing the use of alternatives, such as biologic agents. Recent and ongoing studies characterizing treatment patterns among patients with asthma have revealed alarming trends suggesting the widespread overuse of SCS around the world. In Latin America, asthma prevalence is approximately 17%, and data suggest that the majority of patients have uncontrolled disease. In this review, we summarize currently available data on asthma treatment patterns in Latin America, which indicate that SCS are prescribed to 20-40% of patients with asthma considered to be well controlled and over 50% of patients with uncontrolled disease. We also offer potential strategies to help reduce SCS use for asthma in everyday clinical practice.

Epidemiology of patients with asthma in Korea: Analysis of the NHISS database 2006-2015

Background

There has been a concerning increase in the prevalence and socioeconomic burden of asthma in Korea. Korea's National Health Insurance System (NHIS) covers insurance payment and claims management for all Koreans. Using National Health Insurance Sharing Service (NHISS) claims data. This study aimed to investigate patterns of healthcare utilization and direct cost in patients with asthma over a 10-year period.

Methods

In this retrospective population-based study, we examined NHISS claims records between July 2005 and June 2016 and investigated healthcare utilization among patients with asthma based on age group and severity of disease (non-severe asthma [NSA] and severe asthma [SA]).

Results

From 2006 to 2015, the total number of patients with asthma in Korea steadily increased from 743 968 to 2 286 309, with a corresponding increase in prevalence from 1.62% to 4.74%. The proportion of patients with SA decreased from 3.16% in 2006 to 1.56% in 2015; the proportion was consistently higher in men than in women. In addition, patients with SA had a higher cost per outpatient visit than patients with NSA, and the number of outpatient visits per year increased. The inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) prescription rate among patients with asthma decreased from 22.9% in 2006 to 15.7% in 2015. Furthermore, for a period of 10 years, more than 40% of patients with SA have been prescribed short-acting β-2 agonists (SABAs).

Conclusions

Although patients with SA comprised a small proportion of patients with asthma, they incurred greater medical costs per person. The pharmaceutical prescription pattern indicated a lack of ICS-based prescriptions and frequent SABA prescriptions.

2021 Brazilian Thoracic Association recommendations for the management of severe asthma

Advances in the understanding that severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disease and in the knowledge of the pathophysiology of asthma, with the identification of different phenotypes and endotypes, have allowed new approaches for the diagnosis and characterization of the disease and have resulted in relevant changes in pharmacological management. In this context, the definition of severe asthma has been established, being differentiated from difficult-to-control asthma. These recommendations address this topic and review advances in phenotyping, use of biomarkers, and new treatments for severe asthma. Emphasis is given to topics regarding personalized management of the patient and selection of biologicals, as well as the importance of evaluating the response to treatment. These recommendations apply to adults and children with severe asthma and are targeted at physicians involved in asthma treatment. A panel of 17 Brazilian pulmonologists was invited to review recent evidence on the diagnosis and management of severe asthma, adapting it to the Brazilian reality. Each of the experts was responsible for reviewing a topic or question relevant to the topic. In a second phase, four experts discussed and structured the texts produced, and, in the last phase, all experts reviewed and approved the present manuscript and its recommendations.

Anti-Interleukin-5 in the Management of Eosinophilic Asthma: A Review of Effectiveness, Safety, and Budgetary Impact From the Perspective of the Brazilian Health System

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-interleukin-5 class therapy agents in the treatment of eosinophilic asthma and the financial impact of these drugs on the Brazilian and Mato Grosso public health systems.

METHODS

The literature review in important databases was guided by a structured research question including patient or population, intervention, comparator, outcome and type of study. The retrieved studies went through a screening, selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment process. A model with two scenarios, one with mepolizumab and the other with benralizumab, was created for budget impact analysis.

RESULTS

Evidence indicated that anti-interleukins-5 have an acceptable safety profile and can reduce exacerbation rates by up to 50% in the population with eosinophilic asthma; however, they showed no significant difference in quality of life. The adoption of these drugs in the Brazilian health system can impact the budget from R$ 40,379,731.50 to R$ 140,301,211.34 depending on the drug incorporated, considering a time horizon of 5 years. From the perspective of the state of Mato Grosso, the budget impact may reach, in the fifth year, an amount of R$ 1,301,210.58 and R$ 2,050.687.62 for the scenarios with mepolizumab and benralizumab, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Anti-interleukins-5 are promising treatments for eosinophilic asthma because they minimise exacerbations and are well tolerated and safe. The financial impact is large, implying that technology costs may be a barrier to accessing this treatment class.

An expert review on breaking barriers in severe asthma in Brazil: Time to act

Currently, Brazil lacks a national asthma management program and is burdened with nearly 200,000 hospitalizations due to the disease per year and approximately 5 deaths per day. The purpose of this article was to analyze the current issues surrounding severe asthma in Brazil, as the status of diagnosis and treatment is largely unknown, and to provide feasible recommendations to elicit imminent action. A panel of Brazilian medical experts in the field of severe asthma was provided with a series of relevant questions to address prior to a multi-day conference. Within this conference, each narrative was discussed and edited by the entire group. Through numerous rounds of discussion consensus was achieved. In order to overcome barriers to adequate asthma treatment, this panel recommends specific initiatives that can be implemented in the short-term to decrease the burden of severe asthma in Brazil. With increasing healthcare costs and limited resources globally, there is an opportunity to implement these recommendations in other countries in order to achieve adequate asthma care. Severe asthma is a heterogeneous and complex disease with various phenotypes that requires strict attention for diagnosis and management. Although this disease affects only a small proportion of the population with asthma, it poses a great burden to healthcare systems. Thus, barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and management should be overcome as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Biseugenol Exhibited Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Asthmatic Effects in an Asthma Mouse Model of Mixed-Granulocytic Asthma

In the present work, the anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic potential of biseugenol, isolated as the main component from n-hexane extract from leaves of Nectandra leucantha and chemically prepared using oxidative coupling from eugenol, was evaluated in an experimental model of mixed-granulocytic asthma. Initially, in silico studies of biseugenol showed good predictions for drug-likeness, with adherence to Lipinski’s rules of five (RO5), good Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) properties and no alerts for Pan-Assay Interference Compounds (PAINS), indicating adequate adherence to perform in vivo assays. Biseugenol (20 mg·kg⁻¹) was thus administered intraperitoneally (four days of treatment) and resulted in a significant reduction in both eosinophils and neutrophils of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in ovalbumin-sensitized mice with no statistical difference from dexamethasone (5 mg·kg⁻¹). As for lung function parameters, biseugenol (20 mg·kg⁻¹) significantly reduced airway and tissue damping in comparison to ovalbumin group, with similar efficacy to positive control dexamethasone. Airway hyperresponsiveness to intravenous methacholine was reduced with biseugenol but was inferior to dexamethasone in higher doses. In conclusion, biseugenol displayed antiasthmatic effects, as observed through the reduction of inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, with similar effects to dexamethasone, on mixed-granulocytic ovalbumin-sensitized mice.

Real-life retrospective observational study to determine the prevalence and economic burden of severe asthma in Spain

Objective: We determined the percentage of patients with severe asthma and exacerbations and evaluated the costs of the disease based on blood eosinophil counts.Methods: A retrospective observational study based on the review of medical records in Spain was carried out. Patients ≥18 years of age requiring care during the years 2014-2015; diagnosed with asthma with at least 2 years of continuous records (at least one year prior to the index date defined as the first asthma medication prescription and at least one year after the index date) were included. Study groups: eosinophil counts <300 cells/μl and ≥300 cells/μl. Main variables: comorbidity, clinical parameters, exacerbations and annual asthma total costs.Results: A total of 268 severe asthmatic patients in Spain were included, representing 6.3% of the asthma population, with 58.6% having eosinophil count ≥300 cells/μl and 41.4% eosinophil count <300 cells/μl. The mean age was 56.1 years (63.4% women). Patients with eosinophilic inflammation (≥300 cells/μl) had lower FEV1 values (54.3% vs. 60.7%; p < .001), poorer treatment adherence (65.6% vs. 77.3%; p < .001), and a greater mean number of exacerbations (3.3 vs. 1.9; p < .001). Exacerbations were correlated to FEV1 (β=‒.606), eosinophils (β = .255), immunoglobulin E (β = .152), and age (β = .128), p < .001. The mean total asthma annual cost (ANCOVA) was 6222 vs. 4152 euros, respectively (p = .016). Health costs were associated with age (β = .323), FEV1 (β = .239), eosinophils (β = .177) and exacerbations (β = .158), p < .01.Limitations: Those inherent to retrospective studies; the possible inaccuracy of diagnostic coding referring to severe asthma and other comorbidities and the external validity of the results.Conclusions: Health costs of patients with severe asthma were high. Total annual asthma costs and resource use were greater in patients with ≥300 cells/μl. Age, eosinophilia, exacerbations and FEV1 were associated with greater resource utilization and costs for the health system.

Cost-benefit impact of free asthma medication provision for the pediatric population

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a common chronic disease in childhood, resulting in high costs for health care systems and society. As of June 2011, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) provides free asthma medications for the population. This study evaluated the impact of this program on asthma admissions in the population aged 1-19 years. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis compared data before and after the introduction of the program.

METHODS

This descriptive study was based on information from SUS Information Technology Department (DATASUS). Admission rates and costs of patients aged 1-19 years with diagnosed asthma were compared before (2008-2010) and after (2012-2017) the provision of free inhaled corticosteroid.

RESULTS

The asthma admission rate reduced by 28.4% when comparing the two periods (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.64-0.79). Children aged 1-4 years had a 27.3% reduction in asthma admissions (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.63-0.82), while those aged 15-19 years had a 39.65% decrease (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.37-0.95). Asthma admission costs decreased when comparing the two periods (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.62-0.74). After the introduction of the program, mean cost savings reached US $27,865,905.08 in children aged 1-4 years and US $21,350,660.63 in those aged 5-19 years.

CONCLUSION

The economic burden of pediatric asthma on Brazil's public health care system is significant. From 2012 to 2015, free provision of inhaled corticosteroid was cost-effective in all age groups. In 2017, no cost-benefit effect was observed in this population, but asthma admission rate decreased.

Temporal evolution of and factors associated with asthma and wheezing in schoolchildren in Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the evolution of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing among schoolchildren in Brazil from 2012 to 2015, as well as to identify factors associated with both conditions.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Brazilian National School-Based Adolescent Health Survey for 2012 and 2015. To characterize the evolution of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing, we used linear regression with weighted-least-squares estimation and presented the annual percent change (APC).

RESULTS

During the study period, there was a reduction in the prevalence of wheezing, from 23.2% in 2012 to 22.4% in 2015 (APC, -0.27). The prevalence of asthma increased from 12.4% in 2012 to 16.0% in 2015 (APC, 1.20). The increase in the prevalence of asthma was greatest in the southern region of the country (APC, 2.17). Having any history of smoking and having consumed alcohol in the last 30 days were factors that influenced the prevalence of wheezing and the prevalence of a self-reported diagnosis of asthma during the two years evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been an increase in the prevalence of asthma in recent years in Brazil. Our data underscore the importance of improving health strategies and policies aimed at the control of asthma.

Short-term effect of air pollution on asthma patient visits in Shanghai area and assessment of economic costs

BACKGROUNDS

Shanghai, in China, is one of the highest incidence cities for asthma morbidity. However, few studies have systemically explored the association of ambient air pollutants and asthma patients with economic costs.

OBJECTIVES

The study researched the link of short-term ambient air pollutants exposure and asthma patients in Shanghai. Furthermore, the economic cost was also assessed.

METHODS

We applied the generalized addictive model (GAM) to analyze the association between ambient air pollutants and asthma patients with economic costs assessment.

RESULTS

We investigated a total of 7200 asthma patient visits (inhabitant in Shanghai). A 10 µg m^-3 increase in the current day concentrations of SO₂, CO, NO₂, PM₁₀, O₃ and PM_2.5 corresponded to increase of 3.79% [95% CI: 0.84%, 6.83%], 0.27% [95% CI: 0.14%, 0.40%], 0.63% [95% CI: - 0.81%, 2.10%], 1.11% [95% CI: 0.38%, 1.85%], 0.23% [95% CI: 0.31%, 078%] and 1.27% [95% CI: 0.29%, 2.26%] in daily asthma patient visits. In economic cost level, the economic cost of asthma patients were attributed to ambient air pollutants (SO₂, CO, NO₂, PM₁₀, O₃ and PM_2.5) with 197 million USD losses per year. Among, the economic cost of asthma patient visits were attributed to SO₂, CO, NO₂, PM₁₀, O₃ and PM_2.5 with 101.30, 7.46, 17.15, 30.18, 6.39 and 34.50 million USD loss per year, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term exposure to SO₂, CO, NO₂, PM₁₀, O₃ and PM_2.5 were linked to asthma patient visits increase in Shanghai areas. The economic cost of asthma patient visits were attributed to ambient air pollutants (SO₂, CO, O₃, PM₁₀, NO₂ and PM_2.5) with 197 million USD losses per year. The study strengthen our fundamental comprehending of impacts of ambient air pollutants on human health and economy burden.

High health gain patients with asthma: a cross-sectional study analysing national Scottish data sets

Studies have shown that a small proportion of patients have particularly high needs and are responsible for disproportionally high disease burden. Estimates suggest that 2-5% of patients are high users of healthcare for their health gain. Such patients in Scotland are referred to as high health gain (HHG) patients. We wanted to investigate if there were HHG individuals with asthma in Scotland. We analysed data from the Scottish Health Survey (2010-11), and primary and National Health Survey (NHS) secondary healthcare and administrative data sets (2011-12). In all, 1,379,690 (26.0%) and 836,135 (15.8%) people reported to have ever had and currently have symptoms suggestive of asthma, respectively; 369,868 (7.0%) people reported current symptomatic clinician-diagnosed asthma. 310,050 (5.6%) people had clinician-reported-diagnosed asthma; there were 289,120 nurse consultations, 215,610 GP consultations, 9235 accident and emergency visits (0.2% people), 8263 ambulance conveyances (0.2% people), 7744 inpatient episodes (0.1% people), 3600 disability allowance claims (0.1% people), 187 intensive care unit (ICU) episodes and 94 deaths from asthma. From our study a maximum of about 9.4% of asthma patients (n = 29,145), which is 0.5% of the Scottish population, and from the National Review of Asthma Deaths' estimate (10% hospitalised), a minimum of nine people had severe asthma attacks that needed acute hospital attendance/admission. We found that although a high proportion of the Scottish population had symptoms suggestive of asthma and clinician diagnosed asthma, only a small proportion of asthma patients experienced exacerbations that were severe enough to warrant hospital attendance/admission in any given year. Developing risk prediction models to identify these HHG patients has the potential to both improve health outcomes while substantially reducing healthcare expenditure.

Estimated cost of asthma in outpatient treatment: a real-world study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost of diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

METHODS

We used the perspective of society. We sequentially included for 12 months, in 2011-2012, 117 individuals over five years of age who were treated for asthma in the Pneumology and Allergy-Immunology Services of the Piquet Carneiro Polyclinic, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. All of them were interviewed twice with a six-month interval for data collection, covering 12 months. The cost units were identified and valued according to defined methods. We carried out a sensitivity analysis and applied statistical methods with a significance level of 5% for cost comparisons between subgroups.

RESULTS

The study consisted of 108 patients, and 73.8% of them were women. Median age was 49.5 years. Rhinitis was present in 83.3% of the individuals, and more than half were overweight or obese. Mean family income was U$915.90/month (SD = 879.12). Most workers and students had absenteeism related to asthma. Total annual mean cost was U$1,291.20/patient (SD = 1,298.57). The cost related to isolated asthma was U$1,155.43/patient-year (SD = 1,305.58). Obese, severe, and uncontrolled asthmatic patients had higher costs than non-obese, non-severe, and controlled asthmatics, respectively. Severity and control level were independently associated with higher cost (p = 0.001 and 0.000, respectively). The direct cost accounted for 82.3% of the estimated total cost. The cost of medications for asthma accounted for 62.2% of the direct costs of asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Asthma medications, environmental control measures, and long-term health leaves had the greatest potential impact on total cost variation. The results are an estimate of the cost of treating asthma at a secondary level in the Brazilian Unified Health System, assuming that the treatment used represents the ideal approach to the disease.

The impact of asthma in Brazil: a longitudinal analysis of data from a Brazilian national database system

Objective:

To present official longitudinal data on the impact of asthma in Brazil between 2008 and 2013.

Methods:

This was a descriptive study of data collected between 2008 and 2013 from an official Brazilian national database, including data on asthma-related number of hospitalizations, mortality, and hospitalization costs. A geographical subanalysis was also performed.

Results:

In 2013, 2,047 people died from asthma in Brazil (5 deaths/day), with more than 120,000 asthma-related hospitalizations. During the whole study period, the absolute number of asthma-related deaths and of hospitalizations decreased by 10% and 36%, respectively. However, the in-hospital mortality rate increased by approximately 25% in that period. The geographic subanalysis showed that the northern/northeastern and southeastern regions had the highest asthma-related hospitalization and in-hospital mortality rates, respectively. An analysis of the states representative of the regions of Brazil revealed discrepancies between the numbers of asthma-related hospitalizations and asthma-related in-hospital mortality rates. During the study period, the cost of asthma-related hospitalizations to the public health care system was US$ 170 million.

Conclusions:

Although the numbers of asthma-related deaths and hospital admissions in Brazil have been decreasing since 2009, the absolute numbers are still high, resulting in elevated direct and indirect costs for the society. This shows the relevance of the burden of asthma in middle-income countries.