Hospitalization rates and costs associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among states standardized versus not standardized tiotropium – real-world data

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the inclusion of tiotropium in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using real world data (DATASUS) and statistical analyzes, comparing hospitalization rates and costs associated with hospitalization in states where tiotropium is reimbursed in their treatment guidelines compared to states where tiotropium is not included. Method: A retrospective historical study conducted between 2013 and 2015, based on data obtained from DATASUS, state public purchasing portals and State Health Secretariats. All indexes were normalized by the number of the population, according to the IBGE updated data. The Z tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the results. Results: The combined analysis of the tiotropium reimbursed group presented 52.4% fewer hospitalizations compared to the tiotropium non-reimbursed group (90.0/100,000 versus 43.3/100,000, respectively). The total expenditure for the public healthcare system with hospitalization for COPD was R$ 2.3 million and R$ 4.8 million for the tiotropium group vs. the non-tiotropium group, respectively. Statistical analysis, both in total number and total costs of hospitalization for COPD, showed a statistically significant difference in the states in which tiotropium was reimbursed vs non-reimbursed. Conclusion: Analysis of the results suggests a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations due to COPD in the states in which tiotropium is reimbursed, as well as a reduction in the total expenditure related to hospitalizations associated with COPD.