Cost of hospitalizing asthma patients in a regional hospital in Thailand

Background and objective: The hospitalization of asthma patients accounts for substantial costs in any health-care system. However, the utilization of medical resources and the cost of hospitalizing asthma patients in Thailand have never been evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization of health-care resources and itemize the cost of hospitalizing asthma patients in a regional hospital in north-east Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted at Surin Hospital, a 697-bed, regional hospital in north-east Thailand. The study included 183 adults (>= 15 years of age) who were admitted with acute asthma. Demographic data, resource-utilization parameters and itemized costs were recorded. Results: The average hospital cost was THB5809.3 +/- 6587.4 (US$134.5 +/- 152.5) per patient (range, THB740-57- 980 or US$17.1-1342.1). Medications were the primary hospital expense (47.2%), followed by hospital charges (13.5%), nursing care (13.0%) and respiratory therapy (12.2%). Fifteen per cent of patients accounted for 45% of total hospital costs. Significant predictors of increased total hospital cost were: (i) age >= 60 years; (ii) presence of comorbid conditions; (iii) admission to the intensive care unit; and/or (iv) prolonged hospital stay. Conclusion: Despite the low unit costs for inpatient care in Thailand, the cost of hospitalizing asthma patients (especially the elderly) constitutes a substantial burden to the health-care system.