PRS27 ECONOMIC BURDEN OF INFLUENZA IN THAILAND: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Influenza is one of the global health threats. The incidence of influenza and mortality in Thailand are relatively high compared with other countries. Little is known about economic burden of influenza in Thailand. This study summarized evidence of economic burden of influenza in Thailand from published literature. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases for studies estimating the economic burden of influenza in Thai settings, up to 15th December 2018. Exclusion criteria were studies evaluating other diseases and not reporting costs of influenza illness. All costs were extracted and adjusted to 2018 value. Out of 578 records, 12 articles were met inclusion criteria and included in this review. These studies were conducted with different approaches (6 from societal perspective, 5 from healthcare provider perspective, and 1 with macroeconomic analysis) and focused on different populations (4 in children, 3 in adults, 2 in elderly, 2 in all ages, and 1 in healthcare workers). The average cost per episode of all ages for influenza-like-illness was estimated to be US$21.5. However, the cost could be as high as US$233.2 in elderly and $643.1 in children less than 5 years who had severe influenza. Amongst patients with acute coronary syndrome who had influenza-like illness or pneumonia, the hospitalization cost and other non-medical costs were calculated to be US$964.4 and US$19.3, respectively. From societal perspective, the overall burden of influenza was estimated to be between US$31.1 and US$83.6 million per year in Thailand and about 50% of these estimates referred to indirect costs. Variations of costs depend upon several factors such as patients’ age, co-existing conditions, and disease severity. Economic burden of influenza in Thailand was substantial and our findings will aid policy makers on identifying the appropriate strategies to minimize the burden.