Economic burden of chronic respiratory diseases in Austria and Slovenia: Results of a life-cycle model

This study estimates the economic burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) in Austria and Slovenia. The two dominant CRD are COPD and asthma. Using publicly accessible data sources, the cost categories are divided into direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs. Within the framework of a life-cycle model, we estimated the annual burden of CRD in the year 2014 at EUR 508.1 million (or 0.15% of GDP) in Austria and EUR 34.2 million (or 0.09% of GDP) in Slovenia.