Η οικονομικά αποδοτικότερη εξέλιξη της Χρόνιας Αποφρακτικής Πνευμονοπάθειας Χ.Α.Π.
The most cost-effective development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD
Keywords
ΧΑΠ ; Οικονομικά αποδοτικότερη εξέλιξη ; Κόστος ; Παροξύνσεις ; Συννοσηρότητες ; Συνύπαρξη άσθματος – ΧΑΠ ; Έγκαιρη διάγνωση ; Υποδιάγνωση ; Ανεπάρκεια α1 αντιθρυψίνης ; Διαφοροδιάγνωση ; Πνευμονική αποκατάσταση ; Εξατομικευμένη θεραπείαAbstract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a multifactorial disease affecting a large number of people and posing a significant burden on economies worldwide. The present study aims at highlighting the factors that contribute to the negative financial impact of COPD and developing measures towards a more cost-effective disease course, consistent with improving the social aspect of the affliction.
The study was performed through a qualitative analysis of literature sources, the selection of which was guided by the multidimensional nature of COPD in order to cover the major factors of the financial burden of the disease. The structure of the report follows the course of handling the affliction. In more specific terms, the first part of the thesis deals with the physiological body function as well as the pathophysiology of the disease. Current prevention tools and treatment options are analysed with emphasis on the importance of the differential diagnosis, comorbidities and disease exacerbations.
In the second part of the report, the main points of the chosen literature studies are presented. Through examination of the quantitative analyses of these studies, conclusions of qualitative and universal nature are drawn and presented as the focal points of improvement of the financial management of COPD. More specifically, it becomes apparent that the early and accurate disease diagnosis can contribute to a more effective disease handling, with the subsequent financial gain: lower usage rate of healthcare and pharmaceutical means to treat the disease, lower number of days of sick leave, a decrease of COPD exacerbations as well as related comorbidities and, ultimately, a significant slowing of the disease progression.