Evaluation of the self-management of patients with asthma in the Primary Health Care (PHC) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece: Cost Assessment

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways and is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Worldwide, asthma affects more than 334 million people. The UK has the highest prevalence rates, while in Europe there are 5.4 million people with asthma, affecting one in five households. A quarter of asthma patients have poor symptom control, and in the UK 185 people are admitted to hospital every day due to an asthma exacerbation. Asthma exacerbations result in significant social, psychological and health costs. Best practices in managing asthma patients in primary health care (PHC) are the foundation for strengthening public health. The novel coronavirus pandemic (coronavirus 2019-nCoV) has gained intense attention and vigilance both nationally and globally with a significant burden on the health system as it has significant implications where the provision of behavioral health support to patients is required. Early detection of the disease and the effective support for asthma patients during the Covid-19 pandemic is of utmost importance because asthma is a global Public Health problem, affecting all age groups. Its economic burden is an important measure of its impact on society. Asthma costs increase as disease control declines, and significant cost savings could be achieved through proper management of asthma patients. Study design: The purpose of this study is the Evaluation of the self-management of patients with asthma in the PHC during the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece as well as the cost assessment. The participants of the study attended five years ago the "Asthma School" of the health center of Peristeri under the auspices of Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (HCDCP) Ministry of Health, where they were trained in the management of asthma and a cohort follow up study was conducted regarding this, including the last 12 months.