Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients under age 65: utilization and costs from a managed care sample.

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects all adult age groups, not just elderly males. We assessed the health care utilization and cost impact of COPD in different age groups.

Methods: We compared burden of illness, utilization, and charges for younger versus older COPD patients and versus age- and gender-matched controls.

Results: A total of 16.9% of patients with COPD were under age 65. Patients with COPD (n=19,338) had higher comorbidity than age-matched controls (n=94,384) across all age groups. Younger patients with COPD had lower comorbidity scores and fewer hospitalizations but more COPD-related emergency services than older patients with COPD. Average COPD-related charges were higher for younger patients. Facility-based care was the cost driver across all age groups.

Conclusions: COPD is a burden to younger individuals in the workforce, who are likely to be enrolled in a commercial health plan.