The economic burden of severe asthma in children: a comprehensive study

The economic burden of severe asthma (SA) in children is poorly described. We aimed to determine the healthcare costs of SA in children for the French national health insurance (NHI). Children (6-18 years of age) with physician-confirmed diagnoses of SA or non-SA (NSA) were identified. Direct and indirect expenditures related to asthma and associated co-morbidities in the previous six months were determined, based on a physician-guided parental questionnaire and confirmed by medical records. The costs for the French NHI were assessed per child over a six month period. Data from 74 children, including 48 with SA (22 requiring omalizumab) and 26 with NSA, were analyzed. The global cost of SA was €3,982 per child over a six-month period, including €3,821 direct costs and €161.9 indirect costs. The global cost was €6,716 (4,220) for those requiring omalizumab vs. €1,669 (3,108) for those who did not (<i>p</i> p p The economic burden of SA in children for the French NHI is substantial and mainly driven by the most severe children requiring biologics.