The World Health Organization predicts Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (i.e. COPD) to be the top five diseases in Year 2020. Many countries and
organizations have named annual November 20th as ?COPD day? to emphasize its serious health impacts to human beings. This study primarily intends to analyze the epidemiological distribution, utilization pattern of COPD, and factors influencing COPD expenses.
This study used Year 1998 to Year 2002 National Health Insurance Research Database as our data resource. We initially described the differences of age, gender, and geographical areas for COPD patients. Then, we analyzed the utilization patterns of COPD patients, and moreover, factors influencing COPD expenses. In addition, we tried to discuss the utilization of Respiratory Care Center (i.e. RCC) and Respiratory Care Ward (i.e. RCW) for COPD patients. The research outcome shown as follows:
(1). The COPD prevalence rate of Taiwan is higher than that of World average, either for male or female.
(2). For a single visit, the narrow definition of COPD patients costs more than that of the broad definition of COPD patients.
(3). The male group with age 65 or above consumes more medical resources than any other groups.
(4). Among factors influencing COPD expenses, aged COPD patients, higher hospital level, more hospital days, patients who participated in the ?Integrated Care System of Long Term Mechanical Ventilation? trial projects, are positively co- related with higher COPD expenses.
(5). The lower usage of ?Integrated Care System of Long Term Mechanical Ventilation? is still unknown.
Based on the higher COPD prevalence rate and medical consumption, we suggest the health authority promulgate the negative impacts of smoking on COPD from prevention perspectives, and continuously promote the use of RCC and RCW for COPD patients with steady conditions to avoid the unnecessary use of Intensive Care Unit (i.e. ICU).
