Cost-effectiveness of current and optimal treatment for adult asthma

Background: This article is part of a project to determine the cost-effectiveness of averting the burden of disease. We used population data to investigate the costs and benefits of allocating resources to optimal treatment for asthma in adults, using a burden of disease framework. Methods: We calculated the population burden of asthma in the absence of any treatment as years lived with disability (YLD), ignoring the years of life lost. We then estimated the proportion of burden averted with current interventions, the proportion that could be averted with optimally implemented current evidence-based guidelines and the direct treatment cost-effectiveness ratio in $A per YLD averted for both current and optimal treatment. Results: The direct treatment cost of current treatment of adult asthma in Australia was $A452 million and averted 25% of the burden with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $A14 000/YLD averted. Optimal treatment and optimal compliance would cost $A627 million and avert 69% of the burden with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $A7000/YLD averted. Conclusion: Implementation of optimal treatment for asthma is affordable, will be more cost-effective and will significantly decrease disability. © 2006 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.