The study relied on an extensive series of interviews with clinicians, epidemiologists and other experts as well as reliable published and unpublished data sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of the overall cost structure of asthma in Australia. Three main streams of analysis were undertaken.

The main focus of the study was the analysis of the current economic impact of asthma in Australia. The major quantifiable medical related and indirect costs arising from lost productivity due to asthma were identified. For each cost element a variety of published and official Government and market statistics were obtained to provide the unit cost of the item and the volume of units "used" each year by asthmatics. For example, the total cost of medical visits for asthma was calculated by collecting data on the number of medical consultations and multiplying this by the average cost of a medical visit. In aggregate this process generated the overall cost of asthma for the total Australian population. The appendices outline in detail the assumptions, data sources and cost calculations.

A review of asthma prevalence across all age groups in Australia was undertaken, together with an examination of disease severity in adult asthmatics. Academic prevalence studies and community surveys were used to generate an estimate of the number of diagnosed asthmatics. The total adult¹ asthmatic population was then further categorised into five segments based on disease severity. The segmentation profile was developed through a series of clinical interviews and confirmed by a postal/telephone survey of 297 GPs. Results were cross checked against academic papers and data on the consumption of anti-asthma medication.

Lastly the relationships between cost of disease and asthma severity as well as cost and level of control were explored for the adult population. Financial costs due to asthma and the bearer of those costs were also identified. For each adult asthma severity category the typical number of items "used" (the utilisation) in a year by an asthmatic of that level of severity was estimated with the assistance of clinicians, epidemiologists and other professionals, and cross-checked with other data sources. A range of cost values for each adult severity level was then calculated by combining this new utilisation data with the unit costs.

 

Content Updated 1992