Variations in the cost of formal and informal health care for patients with advanced chronic disease and refractory breathlessness: A cross-sectional secondary analysis:

Background:Refractory breathlessness in advanced chronic disease leads to high levels of disability, anxiety and social isolation. These result in high health-resource use, although this is not quantified.Aims:To measure the cost of care for patients with advanced disease and refractory breathlessness and to identify factors associated with high costs.Design:A cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial.Setting/participants:Patients with advanced chronic disease and refractory breathlessness recruited from three National Health Service hospitals and via general practitioners in South London.Results:Of 105 patients recruited, the mean cost of formal care was £3253 (standard deviation £3652) for 3 months. The largest contributions to formal-care cost were hospital admissions (>60%), and palliative care contributed 250% to £11,507 (standard deviation £9911). Increased patient disability resulting from breathl...