Introduction:

COPD is a prevalent respiratory disease with an important socioeconomic impact worldwide. There is scarce bibliography regarding COPD´s economic impact in Latin American countries. Objectives. To estimate the socioeconomic impact of patients with a COPD spirometric diagnosis assisted at Hospital Pasteur´s COPD clinic in Montevideo between January 1st 2018 and December 31st 2018, determining the direct costs related to their attention.

Methodology:

Observational, descriptive and transversal study. Data concerning demographic characteristics, severity and direct costs derived from health care was obtained revising clinical records.

Results:

57 out of the 84 patients seen in 2018 had spirometric confirmation. Male sex prevailed (64.9%). The average age was 67.3 ± 11.09 years. In 78.8% de most advanced education level achieved was primary school. Smoking was present in 98.2%. The most prevalent comorbidity was alcohol abuse (36.8%), followed by arterial hypertension (35.1%). 45.6% belonged to the severity category GOLD B, followed by GOLD D (43.8%). Direct costs were analyzed in 49 patients. The total cost was USD 190.552,46; 15% corresponded to medication (55% home oxygen therapy), 76% exacerbations (98% hospital admissions), 2% diagnostic and follow up studies and 7% doctors´ salary. We observed a tendency to an increase in costs when increasing the severity category which was not statistically significant, probably due to the low n.

Conclusions:

COPD has an important socioeconomic impact, determined mostly by the cost of exacerbations.

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