Assessing treatment effects of inhaled corticosteroids on medical expenses and exacerbations among COPD patients: longitudinal analysis of managed care claims.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess costs, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) augmenting bronchodilator treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Data sources

Claims between 1997 and 2005 from a large managed care database.

Study design

Individual-level, fixed-effects regression models estimated the effects of initiating ICS on medical expenses and likelihood of severe exacerbation. Bootstrapping provided estimates of the incremental cost per severe exacerbation avoided.

Data extraction methods

COPD patients aged 40 or older with > or = 15 months of continuous eligibility were identified. Monthly observations for 1 year before and up to 2 years following initiation of bronchodilators were constructed.

Principal findings<

SUBMITTER: Akazawa M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2614004 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature