Treatment-related problems and their cost among patients hospitalised with asthma exacerbation

Abstract

Objectives Treatment-related problems (TRPs) are events associated with patients’ managements adversely affecting the patients’ optimum outcomes. Asthma is a common chronic condition characterised by acute episodes of exacerbation. In Jordan, data regarding TRPs in asthma exacerbations are lacking. This study aimed to identify/classify TRPs among patients hospitalised with asthma exacerbation in Jordan and to estimate their costs. Methods A retrospective observational cohort study (Jan 2017–Jul 2021) was conducted in a tertiary centre in Jordan. TRPs were identified during hospitalisation and at discharge using a standardised classification tool and assessed for their severity. Potential cost savings (the extra cost of medication/procedure associated with TRPs) and potential cost avoidance (the cost avoidable by preventing TRPs and their associated adverse drug events) were investigated. Key findings A total of 494 cases were included in the study. A total of 3933 TRPs (2931 during hospitalisation; 1002 at discharge) were identified with a mean of 4.7 ± 2.2 and 2.0 ± 1.2 TRPs during hospitalisation and at discharge, respectively. ‘Unnecessary drug therapy’ (40.8%) and ‘ineffective/incomplete drug therapy’ (44.1%) were the most common TRPs during hospitalisation and at discharge, respectively. In 82% of the cases, systemic corticosteroids were administered for a longer period than recommended. Most of the TRPs were of moderate severity. Potential cost savings and cost avoidance were estimated to be USD 30 919.3 and USD 734 179.9 respectively, with a total cost of USD 766 046.8. Conclusions The prevalence and cost of TRPs among asthma exacerbations are relatively high. Interventions to reduce such problems are necessary to avoid the negative clinical outcomes of TRPs and their economic burden on patients and healthcare systems.

Costs saved and avoided from pharmacist interventions to address drug-related problems identified from outpatient clinics in Jordan

“…A number of studies that has been carried in Jordan assessing the cost of DRPs and these studies were focused on hospitalized patients and other focused groups of patients, i.e. asthma [ 13 , 14 ]. In Jordan, a number of challenges have been identified within the pharmacy sector, including the high incidence of DRPs in a community setting, low provision of services to address DRPs by community pharmacists, low consultation time from physicians and low dispensing time of pharmacies [ 15 – 17 ].…”

A retrospective analysis of the pharmacovigilance data registry in a tertiary teaching hospital in Jordan

“…These findings underscore the financial impact and healthcare burden of preventable ADRs, emphasising the need for effective strategies to mitigate and prevent them. By addressing and minimising preventable ADRs, we can not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce healthcare costs and optimise resource allocation (Awwad et al, 2024 ; Tabaza et al, 2023 ).…”

Examining Influenza Vaccination Patterns Among Young Adults with Asthma: Insights into Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

“…In Jordan, the total cost of treatment-related problems due to asthma was estimated to be USD 1550 per patient. 6 Another study conducted in the United States revealed that the annual direct medical costs were significantly associated with asthma severity ($3305 in mild, $7250 in moderate, and $9175 in severe asthma), while the indirect costs were $106 in mild, $321 in moderate, and $1000 in severe per person per year. 7 According to the latest data published by WHO in 2020, influenza and pneumonia caused 3.59% of the total deaths in Jordan.…”