Cost Effectiveness of Outpatient Asthma Clinics

Abstract Introduction Asthma clinics (AC) are hospital outpatient services specializing in the management of asthma. In this study, we analyzed the impact of these clinics on asthma management and their cost effectiveness in comparison with standard outpatient services. Methods A case–crossover study in which all new patients seen in the AC of Lugo in 2012 were included. The case period was defined as one year following the first visit to the AC; the control period was defined as the preceding year. We calculated changes in clinical quality indicators for asthma management, and estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for each additional patient treated and for each quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Results The number of patients ( n =83, mean age 49±15.2 years; 60.2% women) managed in the AC increased from 41% to 86%. The asthma control test score increased from 18.7±4.6 to 22.6±2.3 ( P 1 increased from 81.4±17.5% to 84.4±16.6% ( P Conclusions Treatment in ACs is cost effective and beneficial in asthma management.