Defense Date

10-12-2011

Graduation Date

Spring 2011

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Pharmacy Administration

School

School of Pharmacy

Committee Chair

Khalid M. Kamal

Committee Member

Jennifer Elliott

Committee Member

Gibbs Kanyongo

Keywords

Asthma, COPD, Cost

Abstract

Objective: To estimate national prevalence and direct incremental expenditures in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma using 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data.

Methods: COPD and asthma were identified using ICD-9 codes and were the main independent variables. Covariates included age, gender, race, income, region, insurance and marital status. Dependent variables were total health care, office-based, outpatient, inpatient, emergency room and prescription expenditures. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to fulfill the study objectives.

Results: Prevalence of COPD and asthma was 1.3 million and 28.3 million, respectively. Total direct incremental health care expenditures per person for COPD and asthma were $1,739.27 and $2,133.83, respectively. High cost categories among COPD and asthma included office-based, inpatient and prescription expenditures. Age, gender, region, insurance and marital status were significant predictors for health care expenditures.

Conclusion: Results highlight socio-demographic disparities and high health care expenditures due to COPD and asthma in the United States.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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