Estimating the social costs of asthma [1]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A validation of the health and social costs of asthma using questionnaire data
IRAS ID
174451
Contact name
Alison Robinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
The aim of this proposed PhD project is to develop an accurate and comprehensive resource utili-sation questionnaire and perform a cost/burden analysis of asthma and thereby address current evi-dence gaps on indirect costs, allowing the generation of accurate UK-wide estimates of the total costs of asthma.
Method
The first stage of the project is the design of a resource use questionnaire that specifically includes the costs incurred at the individual and wider social level The second stage will be the distribution of approximately 2000 questionnaires to asthmatic patients at GP clinics in Swansea and Edinburgh and a local respiratory clinic (Singleton Hospital).
Focus Groups
Focus groups (across Swansea and Edinburgh) with GP practice patients, respiratory clinic and stakeholders (e.g.head teachers, asthma practitioners and social workers) will obtain relevant perspectives on costs incurred by asthma sufferers.Questionnaire Design
These data will inform the development of a questionnaire to be used as the measure of social costs which will then be validated within patient groups. , Three versions of a questionnaire will be designed infant [5-13]; adolescent [14-17]; & adult [18+]). A pilot questionnaire will be validated in a sample of the focus groups, having undergone any further necessary refinement following feedback.Questionnaire distribution
Distribution of the final validated questionnaire will be undertaken through a two-stage sampling strategy: 130-140 potential participants will be randomly identified from each of 15 GP practices across the regions and 50 patients will be selected from the respiratory clinic run by Dr Davies (Project supervisor). It is anticipate that approximately 1005 questionnaires would be completed, allowing for an approximate 50% uptake rate.Analysis
A nested cost/burden analysis and data validation against routine data in Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) for Swansea patients. Modelling of the reported costs will be undertaken to estimate the cost/burden of asthma.REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
15/WA/0113
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion