Analysis of Treatment Pattern in COPD Patients Using Health Insurance Claims Data:Focusing on Inhaled Medications
10.24304/kjcp.2022.32.3.155
- Author:
Hana LIM
1
;
Mihai PARK
Author Information
1. School of pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
2022;32(3):155-165
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not completely reversible and requires long-term management with appropriate treatment. This study aimed to analyze trends in treatment regimens and medication costs for COPD patients using a national claims database.
Methods:We conducted this analysis using National Patient Sample data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service covering the period from 2015 to 2018. We have constructed a dataset comprising COPD disease classification codes J43.x and J44.x (based on KCD-7 code, J43.0 was excluded) and compiled a list of drugs fitting current guidelines. To identify trends, we calculated frequency, ratio, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) using the numbers of prescriptions and patients.
Results:The number of COPD patients was 7,260 in 2018, slightly decreased from 2015. Most of these COPD patients were aged 60 or older and included a high proportion of males (72.2%; 2018). The number of patients prescribed inhaled medications increased gradually from 2015 to 2018 (9,227 (47.1%); 2015, 9,285 (51.5%); 2018), while the number of patients prescribed systemic beta-agonists and Xanthines has decreased since 2015 (CAGR −14.7; systemic beta-agonist, −5.8; Xanthines). The per capita cost of medication has increased by 0.4% (KRW 206,667; 2018, KRW 204,278; 2015) annually during the study period.
Conclusion:This study showed that treatment with inhaled medications had continuously increased in accord with changing guidelines, but oral medications were still widely used. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of inhaled medications in treating COPD to reduce additional economic burden through appropriate medication use.
