In 2008, the financial cost of COPD in Australia was $8.8 billion.
Of this:
¡ $6.8 billion was productivity lost due to lower employment, absenteeism and premature death of Australians with COPD
¡$0.9 billion was direct health system expenditure
¡- $1.2 billion including welfare payments and taxation foregone, and other indirect costs such as aids and home modifications
Additionally, the overall value of loss of wellbeing due to COPD is estimated at a further $89.4 billion
Health costs - in 2008, COPD will cost the economy an estimated $98 billion
In Europe, 2001:
¡Per patient Direct costs £819.42
¡Per patient Indirect costs £819.66
Social Burden
Depression and anxiety much higher (in COPD) than in the general community:
¡40% to 12.3% depression
¡ 36% anxiety to 9% depression
Feeling fatigued easily makes activities less enjoyable and frustrating. Sometimes even stressful. Increased stress leads to many psychological problems which increases social burden.
Kicking the Habit
Employers may introduce an incentive to smokers vs. non-smokers. Eg. Charge an extra RM150 to smokers for health insurance. Ask a loved one to help in quitting smoking. Join a support group.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy:
¡involves "replacing" cigarettes with other nicotine substitutes, such as nicotine gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, and lozenges.
¡Delivers “small and steady doses” of nicotine into the body to relieve some of the withdrawal symptoms without the tars and poisonous gases found in cigarettes.
Drug Therapy
¡Buproprion. Similar to varenicline, but less desirable safety profile. (eg. Causes fits)
¡In Malaysia, Pfizer markets varenicline.
Hypnosis
¡Places a suggestion in the subconscious in order to strengthen will against smoking.
Behavioural therapy
Motivational therapy
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