Direct hospitalisation cost of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, covered by the National Health Insurance at Vinh Phuc General Hospital from 2015 to 2019

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a treatable disease with high prevalence and morbidity, associated with a significant economic burden. This study aimed to investigate the direct hospitalisation costs of patients with COPD covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Vietnam. A retrospective study was conducted at Vinh Phuc General Hospital from 2015 to 2019, involving 1,629 patients. Sociodemographic features, clinical characteristics, and hospitalisation costs were collected. A multivariate generalised linear regression model was used to identify factors associated with hospitalisation costs. The mean total hospitalisation cost per patient was 430.74 USD (SD=618.39). Medication costs accounted for the highest proportion, followed by bed-day, procedures, function tests, imaging diagnosis, functional exploration, examination, and medical supplies. Antibiotics had the highest medication cost, at 99.37 USD (SD=126.24). The average number of hospitalisation days was 10.1, closely related to the direct cost. Age and comorbidities also affected hospitalisation costs.