Economic Burden and Epidemiology of Pneumonia in Korean Adults Aged over 50 Years

Abstract

This study was performed to estimate the direct medical costs and epidemiology of pneumonia in adults of Korea. We conducted a multi-center, retrospective, observational study and collected data targeting for community-acquired pneumonia patients ( ≥ 50 yr) from 11 hospitals. Costs attributable to the treatment of pneumonia were estimated by reviewing resource utilization and epidemiology data (distribution of pathogen, hospital length of stay, overall outcome) were also collected. A total 693 patients were included; average 70.1 ( ± 10.5) aged, 57.3% male and average 1.16 CURB-65 (confusion, blood urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, age > 65 yr) scored. The pathogen was identified in the 32.9% (228 patients); Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 22.4% (51 patients) of identified pathogens. The hospital mortality was 3.2% (especially, for S. pneumoniae was 5.9%) and average length of stay was 9 days. The mean total cost for the treatment of pneumonia was US dollar (USD) 1,782 (SD: USD 1,501). Compared to the cost of all caused pneumonia, that of pneumococcal pneumonia was higher, USD 2,049 ( ± USD 1,919), but not statistically significant. Charge of hospitalization accounted the greatest part of total medical costs. The economic burden of pneumonia was high in Korea, and the prevention of pneumonia should be considered as effective strategy.

Disease burden of pneumonia in Korean adults aged over 50 years stratified by age and underlying diseases

“…A Korean study of the pneumonia burden in 764 inpatients with CAP (age, ≥ 50 years) revealed that 3.2% patients died during treatment [10]. Mortality occurs primarily in the elderly and is frequently associated with underlying diseases.…”

Cost-effectiveness analysis of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine versus 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in an adult population in South Korea

“…However, to preserve the credibility of the data, as well as to reflect the reality of the local situation, we adopted the efficacy data of PCV13 from a verified large-scale, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled research (CAPiTA). 46 In addition, epidemiological and cost data on pneumococcal diseases were taken from existing local sources, 7,8,10,[48][49][50] as completely as possible. Lastly, the risk group ratio reflected in this study (Supplementary Table 1) is considered to be lower than what is usually estimated by expert groups in reality.…”

“…6 In Korean adults, the annual incidence rates of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) range from 538 to 707 cases per 100,000 persons, which increases with age. 7 Among CAP cases, S. pneumoniae accounts for 21.1-43.6%, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and 5.9% of the cases result in death. 10 The average per-capita medical fee was reported at 1,887 USD.…”

“…7 Among CAP cases, S. pneumoniae accounts for 21.1-43.6%, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] and 5.9% of the cases result in death. 10 The average per-capita medical fee was reported at 1,887 USD. 10 Although not common, the burden of IPD is also substantial; the case fatality rate was 30.9%, and the per-capita medical fee for Korean adults was 7,452 USD.…”

“…10 The average per-capita medical fee was reported at 1,887 USD. 10 Although not common, the burden of IPD is also substantial; the case fatality rate was 30.9%, and the per-capita medical fee for Korean adults was 7,452 USD. 19 Both age and comorbidities are known to be important risk factors for pneumococcal disease 20,21 and the mortality rate increases with age.…”