Direct medical costs in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Asian Countries: a systematic review

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent chronic respiratory illness that imposes a substantial economic burden on both patients and society as a whole. This systematic review aims to analyze the direct medical costs of treating COPD in Asian countries. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Google Scholar using appropriate keywords. Eight eligible studies were included in the analysis, and cost data were converted to a uniform unit of 2024 USD. The results indicate that the average annual treatment cost per patient ranges from $376 to $3,309 USD. Inpatient costs, particularly those associated with COPD exacerbations, constitute a significant proportion compared to outpatient costs. These findings underscore the necessity of systematic reviews on treatment costs in providing scientific evidence and supporting the development of policies aimed at mitigating the future economic burden caused by COPD.