Economic Burden of COPD in UAE

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition characterized by breathing difficulties, with significant impacts on patients' quality of life.

Global Impact

Global Death Toll:

Globally, COPD is the third leading cause of death, following ischemic heart disease and stroke¹
In 2019 alone, it caused 3.23 Million deaths worldwide, representing 6% of total global deaths^1,2.

Widespread Prevalence:

Approximately 299.4 Million cases were reported globally in 2017, showing a 24% increase since 2007³.
The prevalence of COPD is projected to increase, with an estimated 5.4 Million deaths by 2060⁴.

DALYs:

COPD accounts for the majority of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) among chronic respiratory diseases⁵, causing 2.6% of global DALYs in 2015⁶.

COPD Burden in United Arab Emirates

COPD presents a significant health challenge with rising prevalence rates and economic impact:

COPD prevalence was estimated to be between 3.7% and 5.3% in 2024⁷
Mortality Impact: COPD accounts for about 2% of all-cause deaths⁷.
Macroeconomic Impact: According to the World Bank, the estimated economic loss attributed to COPD in 2017 was approximately $12.726 Billion, reflecting the long-term economic consequences of unmanaged COPD in the region⁸.

Direct Costs of Treatment and Care:

Hospitalizations and Medications: The direct costs of COPD are largely driven by hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and prescription drugs. Severe exacerbations significantly increase these costs, with hospitalizations accounting for a major portion of the expenses^9-10

Exacerbations: Costs related to exacerbations are a significant component of direct healthcare expenses. Moderate exacerbations cost approximately €888 (US $1045.17), while severe exacerbations cost about €7091 (US $8346.04) per event⁹.

Healthcare Services: Direct costs also include general practitioner visits, laboratory tests, and rehabilitation programs. These services are essential for managing COPD but contribute to the overall financial burden^9-10.

Indirect Costs

Productivity Losses: Indirect costs primarily arise from loss of productivity due to COPD-related disability, premature death, and work absences^9-10.

Premature Retirement: COPD often leads to early retirement, which further contributes to indirect costs by reducing the workforce participation and increasing social transfer payments¹⁰.

Productivity claims associated with COPD were responsible for 10% of the overall COPD cost burden for working patients¹¹:

Productivity Losses:

Frequent exacerbators experience the highest productivity loss: 456.5
Infrequent exacerbators have a significant loss as well: 361.8
Non-exacerbators show the lowest productivity loss: 255.4

→ Exacerbations directly correlate with increasing productivity losses.

Lost Work Time (sick leave):

Frequent exacerbators also show the highest amount of lost work time: 60.0
Non-exacerbators experience less time away from work: 49.8
Infrequent exacerbators fall in between: 60.0

→ Exacerbations are key drivers of absenteeism in COPD patients.

Decreased Productivity (Presenteeism)

Frequent exacerbators suffer a higher loss in productivity while at work: 29.3
Non-exacerbators: 11.4

→ Exacerbations are key drivers of absenteeism in COPD patients.

COPD treatment not only affects productivity of patients, but also of the caregivers:

A Spanish study analyzed the burden borne by informal caregivers (n=220,892) of patients with COPD¹².

% of informal caregivers (of COPD patients) with health-,
professional-,and leisure/social-related problems

% of informal caregivers of COPD patients having problems
vs. caregivers of patients with other chronic diseases

Caregivers face severe challenges:

83% of caregivers report leisure/social-related problems, followed by 38% experiencing professional-related problems and 35% facing health issues.
COPD caregivers, more than those of other chronic diseases like stroke or myocardial infarction, face greater deterioration of health and a marked decrease in leisure time.
The comparison with caregivers of other chronic diseases further emphasizes the unique burden COPD imposes, showing higher rates of decreased leisure time and overall strain on caregivers.

Dupixent API