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Daalderop LA, de Vries EF, Steegers EAP, Been JV, Struijs JN, Lagendijk J. Socioeconomic inequalities in the uptake of postpartum care at home across Dutch neighbourhoods. Eur J Public Health 2024:ckae089. [PMID: 38783612 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postpartum care focuses on prevention of health problems by performing medical check-ups and through enhancing maternal empowerment, the parent-infant interaction and knowledge about mother's own health and that of her newborn. We aimed to investigate whether there was significant clustering within neighbourhoods regarding the uptake of postpartum care and to what extent neighbourhood-level differences are explained by individual socio-demographic factors, pregnancy-related factors and neighbourhood-level determinants (i.e. deprivation and urbanization). METHODS A nationwide population-based observational study was carried out using linked routinely collected healthcare data from appropriate-for-gestational-age weight live-born term singleton deliveries (2015-18) in the Netherlands. We performed two-level multivariable logistic regression analyses, using three different models. Model 1 contained no explanatory variables and was used to assess clustering of postpartum care uptake within neighbourhoods. In model 2, individual-level determinants were added one by one and in model 3, neighbourhood-level determinants were added. RESULTS About 520 818 births were included. Multilevel modelling showed that 11% of the total variance in postpartum care uptake could be attributed to the neighbourhood of residence. Individual characteristics explained 38% of the neighbourhood variance, of which income and migration background were the most important contributors. An additional 6% of the variation could be explained by neighbourhood-level determinants. CONCLUSION We found substantial neighbourhood differences in postpartum care uptake. These differences are influenced by a complex interplay between individual-level and neighbourhood-level determinants, highlighting the importance of addressing both individual and neighbourhood-level determinants to improve the uptake of postpartum care and therewith overall community health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie A Daalderop
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eline F de Vries
- Department of Quality of Care and Health Economics, Center of Prevention, Nutrition and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A P Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper V Been
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care, Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen N Struijs
- Department of Quality of Care and Health Economics, Center of Prevention, Nutrition and Health Services Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Lagendijk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Øien-Ødegaard C, Christiansen STG, Hauge LJ, Stene-Larsen K, Bélanger SM, Bjertness E, Reneflot A. Variations in healthcare utilization for mental health problems prior to suicide by socioeconomic status: a Norwegian register-based population study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:648. [PMID: 38773575 PMCID: PMC11110240 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11113-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide poses a major public health challenge, claiming around 650 lives annually in Norway. There is limited understanding of mental healthcare utilization patterns preceding suicide, particularly relating to socioeconomic status (SES). This study analyzes mental health service use among Norwegian citizens aged 20-64 from 2009 to 2021, emphasizing disparities related to SES. METHODS This is a population-wide registry-based study. We include mental health consultations with both primary and specialist healthcare services, and investigate patterns of service use regarding educational attainment, employment status and income and compare this to the population in general. All suicides in the period (N = 4731) are included in the study. The aim is to investigate potential discrepancies in service use the year and month preceding suicide, seeking to enhance targeted preventive interventions. RESULTS Our results show significant variations in healthcare use for mental health problems the last year preceding suicide, according to the components of SES, for both men and women. Those with higher education utilize the mental healthcare services prior to suicide to a higher degree than men and women with high school education or less, whereas employed men and men with high income level have significantly lower mental healthcare usage prior to suicide both the last year and month compared to the non-employed men and men with low-income level. Employed women also had a lower mental healthcare usage, whereas the results regarding income are not significant for women. CONCLUSION Mental healthcare use prior to suicide varies across the SES components. Notably, the SES groups exhibit heterogeneity, with gendered patterns. Targeted interventions for low consultation rates among employed men, and men with high income and lower education are needed, while women, and men in at-risk groups, such as the non-employed and those with low income, demonstrate higher mental healthcare utilization, warranting comprehensive suicide prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Øien-Ødegaard
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, Oslo, 0213, Norway.
| | | | - Lars Johan Hauge
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, Oslo, 0213, Norway
| | - Kim Stene-Larsen
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, Oslo, 0213, Norway
| | - Sissel Marguerite Bélanger
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, Oslo, 0213, Norway
| | - Espen Bjertness
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, Institute of Health and Society, PO Box 1130, Blindern, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Anne Reneflot
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, Oslo, 0213, Norway
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Ares-Blanco S, López-Rodríguez JA, Polentinos-Castro E, Del Cura-González I. Effect of GP visits in the compliance of preventive services: a cross-sectional study in Europe. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:165. [PMID: 38750446 PMCID: PMC11094967 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02400-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Performing cardiovascular and cancer screenings in target populations can reduce mortality. Visiting a General Practitioner (GP) once a year is related to an increased likelihood of preventive care. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of visiting a GP in the last year on the delivery of preventive services based on sex and household income. METHODS Cross-sectional study using data collected from the European Health Interview Survey 2013-2015 of individuals aged 40-74 years from 29 European countries. The variables included: sociodemographic factors (age, sex, and household income (HHI) quintiles [HHI 1: lowest income, HHI 5: more affluent]), lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and preventive care services (cardiometabolic, influenza vaccination, and cancer screening). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses and multilevel models (level 1: citizen, level 2: country) were performed. RESULTS 242,212 subjects were included, 53.7% were female. The proportion of subjects who received any cardiometabolic screening (92.4%) was greater than cancer screening (colorectal cancer: 44.1%, gynaecologic cancer: 40.0%) and influenza vaccination. Individuals who visited a GP in the last year were more prone to receive preventive care services (cardiometabolic screening: adjusted OR (aOR): 7.78, 95% CI: 7.43-8.15; colorectal screening aOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.80-1.95; mammography aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.69-1.83 and Pap smear test: aOR: 1.89, 95% CI:1.85-1.94). Among those who visited a GP in the last year, the highest ratios of cardiometabolic screening and cancer screening benefited those who were more affluent. Women underwent more blood pressure measurements than men regardless of the HHI. Men were more likely to undergo influenza vaccination than women regardless of the HHI. The highest differences between countries were observed for influenza vaccination, with a median odds ratio (MOR) of 6.36 (under 65 years with comorbidities) and 4.30 (over 65 years with comorbidities), followed by colorectal cancer screening with an MOR of 2.26. CONCLUSIONS Greater adherence to preventive services was linked to individuals who had visited a GP at least once in the past year. Disparities were evident among those with lower household incomes who visited a GP. The most significant variability among countries was observed in influenza vaccination and colorectal cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ares-Blanco
- Federica Montseny Health Centre, Gerencia Asistencial Atención Primaria, Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Madrid, Spain.
- Medical Specialties and Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion Networks (RICAPPS), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan A López-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- General Ricardos Health Centre, Gerencia Asistencial Atención Primaria, Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Madrid, Spain
- Primary Care Research Unit, Gerencia de Atención Primaria, Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Madrid, Spain
- Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion Networks (RICAPPS), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Specialties and Public Health Department, School of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos, University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Polentinos-Castro
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Primary Care Research Unit, Gerencia de Atención Primaria, Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Madrid, Spain
- Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion Networks (RICAPPS), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Specialties and Public Health Department, School of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos, University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Del Cura-González
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Primary Care Research Unit, Gerencia de Atención Primaria, Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Madrid, Spain
- Chronicity, Primary Care, and Health Promotion Networks (RICAPPS), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Specialties and Public Health Department, School of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos, University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
- Aging Research Center, Karolinksa Instituted, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wang S, Ma Y, Wu G, Du Z, Li J, Zhang W, Hao Y. Relationships between long-term exposure to major PM 2.5 constituents and outpatient visits and hospitalizations in Guangdong, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123866. [PMID: 38537800 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has attracted considerable attention due to its crucial role in the rising global disease burden. Evidence of health risks associated with exposure to PM2.5 and its major constituents is important for advancing hazard assessments and air pollution emission policies. We investigated the relationship between exposure to major constituents of PM2.5 and outpatient visits as well as hospitalizations in Guangdong Province, China, where 127 million residents live in a severe PM2.5 pollution environment. An approach that integrates the generalized weighted quantile sum (gWQS) regression with the difference-in-differences (DID) approach was used to assess the overall mixture effects and relative contributions of each constituent. We observed significant associations between long-term exposure to the mixture of PM2.5 constituents (WQS index) and outpatient visits (IR%, percentage increases in risk per unit WQS index increase:1.73, 95%CI: 1.72, 1.74) as well as hospitalizations (IR%:5.15, 95%CI: 5.11, 5.20). Black carbon (weight: 0.34) and nitrate (weight: 0.60) respectively exhibited the highest contributions to outpatient visits and hospitalizations. The overall mixture effects on outpatient visits and hospitalizations were higher with increased summer air temperatures (IR%: 7.54, 95%CI: 7.33, 7.74 and IR%: 9.55, 95%CI: 8.36, 10.75, respectively) or decreased winter air temperatures (IR%: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.68, 2.08 and IR%: 4.87, 95%CI: 3.73, 6.02, respectively). Furthermore, the overall mixture effects on outpatient visits and hospitalizations were significantly higher in populations with higher socioeconomic status (P < 0.01). It's crucial to address the primary sources of nitrate precursor substances and black carbon (mainly traffic-related and industrial-related air pollutants) and consider the complex interaction effects between air temperature and PM2.5 in the context of climate change. Of particular concern is the need to prioritize healthcare demands in economically disadvantaged regions and to address the health inequalities stemming from the uneven distribution of healthcare resources and PM2.5 pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Wang
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health & Center for Health Information Research & Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yujie Ma
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health & Center for Health Information Research & Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Gonghua Wu
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health & Center for Health Information Research & Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhicheng Du
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health & Center for Health Information Research & Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jinghua Li
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health & Center for Health Information Research & Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wangjian Zhang
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health & Center for Health Information Research & Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Peking University Center for Public Health and Epidemic Preparedness & Response Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
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Exarchakou A, Rachet B, Lyratzopoulos G, Maringe C, Rubio FJ. What can hospital emergency admissions prior to cancer diagnosis tell us about socio-economic inequalities in cancer diagnosis? Evidence from population-based data in England. Br J Cancer 2024:10.1038/s41416-024-02688-6. [PMID: 38671209 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02688-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More deprived cancer patients are at higher risk of Emergency Presentation (EP) with most studies pointing to lower symptom awareness and increased comorbidities to explain those patterns. With the example of colon cancer, we examine patterns of hospital emergency admissions (HEAs) history in the most and least deprived patients as a potential precursor of EP. METHODS We analysed the rates of hospital admissions and their admission codes (retrieved from Hospital Episode Statistics) in the two years preceding cancer diagnosis by sex, deprivation and route to diagnosis (EP, non-EP). To select the conditions (grouped admission codes) that best predict emergency admission, we adapted the purposeful variable selection to mixed-effects logistic regression. RESULTS Colon cancer patients diagnosed through EP had the highest number of HEAs than all the other routes to diagnosis, especially in the last 7 months before diagnosis. Most deprived patients had an overall higher rate and higher probability of HEA but fewer conditions associated with it. CONCLUSIONS Our findings point to higher use of emergency services for non-specific symptoms and conditions in the most deprived patients, preceding colon cancer diagnosis. Health system barriers may be a shared factor of socio-economic inequalities in EP and HEAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimilia Exarchakou
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON), Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON), Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgios Lyratzopoulos
- Epidemiology of Cancer Healthcare and Outcomes (ECHO), Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Camille Maringe
- Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network (ICON), Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Aguilar-Palacio I, Obón-Azuara B, Castel-Feced S, Malo S, Teresa J, Rabanaque MJ. Gender health care inequalities in health crisis: when uncertainty can lead to inequality. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:46. [PMID: 38566144 PMCID: PMC10985974 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01276-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In health crisis, inequalities in access to and use of health care services become more evident. The objective of this study is to analyse the existence and evolution of gender inequalities in access to and use of healthcare services in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis. METHODS Retrospective cohort study using data from all individuals with a confirmed COVID-19 infection from March 2020 to March 2022 in Aragón (Spain) (390,099 cases). Health care access and use was analysed by gender for the different pandemic waves. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of sex in health care. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition methods were performed to explain gender gaps observed. RESULTS The health care received throughout the COVID-19 pandemic differed between men and women. Women were admitted to hospital and intensive care units less frequently than men and their stays were shorter. Differences observed between men and women narrowed throughout the pandemic, but persisted even after adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, morbidity burden or the patient's place of residence. Differences in sociodemographic characteristics and morbidity burden could explain partially the gender inequalities found, mainly in the later phases of the pandemic, but not in the earlier waves. CONCLUSIONS There were gender inequalities in access to and use of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inequalities were greater in the first waves of the pandemic, but did not disappear. Analysis of health crises must take into account an intersectional gender perspective to ensure equitable health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Aguilar-Palacio
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Grupo de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios de Aragón (GRISSA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Blanca Obón-Azuara
- Grupo de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios de Aragón (GRISSA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva. Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
- Servicio Aragonés de Salud (SALUD), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Castel-Feced
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios de Aragón (GRISSA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Malo
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios de Aragón (GRISSA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Teresa
- Grupo de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios de Aragón (GRISSA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María José Rabanaque
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios de Aragón (GRISSA), Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Research Network On Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
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Mountain R, Knight J, Heys K, Giorgi E, Gatheral T. Spatio-temporal modelling of referrals to outpatient respiratory clinics in the integrated care system of the Morecambe Bay area, England. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:229. [PMID: 38388919 PMCID: PMC10882730 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10716-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promoting integrated care is a key goal of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve population respiratory health, yet there is limited data-driven evidence of its effectiveness. The Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network is an integrated care initiative operating in the North-West of England since 2017. A key target area has been reducing referrals to outpatient respiratory clinics by upskilling primary care teams. This study aims to explore space-time patterns in referrals from general practice in the Morecambe Bay area to evaluate the impact of the initiative. METHODS Data on referrals to outpatient clinics and chronic respiratory disease patient counts between 2012-2020 were obtained from the Morecambe Bay Community Data Warehouse, a large store of routinely collected healthcare data. For analysis, the data is aggregated by year and small area geography. The methodology comprises of two parts. The first explores the issues that can arise when using routinely collected primary care data for space-time analysis and applies spatio-temporal conditional autoregressive modelling to adjust for data complexities. The second part models the rate of outpatient referral via a Poisson generalised linear mixed model that adjusts for changes in demographic factors and number of respiratory disease patients. RESULTS The first year of the Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network was not associated with a significant difference in referral rate. However, the second and third years saw significant reductions in areas that had received intervention, with full intervention associated with a 31.8% (95% CI 17.0-43.9) and 40.5% (95% CI 27.5-50.9) decrease in referral rate in 2018 and 2019, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Routinely collected data can be used to robustly evaluate key outcome measures of integrated care. The results demonstrate that effective integrated care has real potential to ease the burden on respiratory outpatient services by reducing the need for an onward referral. This is of great relevance given the current pressure on outpatient services globally, particularly long waiting lists following the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for more innovative models of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jo Knight
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Kelly Heys
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal, UK
| | - Emanuele Giorgi
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Timothy Gatheral
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal, UK
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Mysler E, Monticielo OA, Al-Homood IA, Lau CS, Hussein H, Chen YH. Opportunities and challenges of lupus care in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific: A call to action. Mod Rheumatol 2024:roae001. [PMID: 38531074 DOI: 10.1093/mr/roae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Lupus remains a disease with a low prioritisation in the national agendas of many countries in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, where there is a dearth of rheumatologists and limited access to new or even standard lupus treatments. There is thus an important need for education, advocacy, and outreach to prioritise lupus in these regions to ensure that patients receive the care they need. This article reviews some of the specific challenges facing the care and management of people with lupus in these regions and suggests strategies for improving patient outcomes. Specifically, we review and discuss (with a focus on the aforementioned regions) the epidemiology of lupus; economic costs, disease burden, and effects on quality of life; barriers to care related to disease assessment; barriers to effective treatment, including limitations of standard treatments, high glucocorticoid use, inadequate access to new treatments, and low adherence to medications; and strategies to improve lupus management and patient outcomes. We hope that this represents a call to action to come together and act now for the lupus community, policymakers, health authorities, and healthcare professionals to improve lupus management and patient outcomes in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Mysler
- Organización Medica de Investigación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Odirlei Andre Monticielo
- Rheumatology Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Chak Sing Lau
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Yi-Hsing Chen
- Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Butler DC, Larkins S, Jorm L, Korda RJ. Does use of GP and specialist services vary across areas and according to individual socioeconomic position? A multilevel analysis using linked data in Australia. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e074624. [PMID: 38184309 PMCID: PMC10773367 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Timely access to primary care and supporting specialist care relative to need is essential for health equity. However, use of services can vary according to an individual's socioeconomic circumstances or where they live. This study aimed to quantify individual socioeconomic variation in general practitioner (GP) and specialist use in New South Wales (NSW), accounting for area-level variation in use. DESIGN Outcomes were GP use and quality-of-care and specialist use. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate: (1) median ORs (MORs) to quantify small area variation in outcomes, which gives the median increased risk of moving to an area of higher risk of an outcome, and (2) ORs to quantify associations between outcomes and individual education level, our main exposure variable. Analyses were adjusted for individual sociodemographic and health characteristics and performed separately by remoteness categories. SETTING Baseline data (2006-2009) from the 45 and Up Study, NSW, Australia, linked to Medicare Benefits Schedule and death data (to December 2012). PARTICIPANTS 267 153 adults aged 45 years and older. RESULTS GP (MOR=1.32-1.35) and specialist use (1.16-1.18) varied between areas, accounting for individual characteristics. For a given level of need and accounting for area variation, low education-level individuals were more likely to be frequent users of GP services (no school certificate vs university, OR=1.63-1.91, depending on remoteness category) and have continuity of care (OR=1.14-1.24), but were less likely to see a specialist (OR=0.85-0.95). CONCLUSION GP and specialist use varied across small areas in NSW, independent of individual characteristics. Use of GP care was equitable, but specialist care was not. Failure to address inequitable specialist use may undermine equity gains within the primary care system. Policies should also focus on local variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C Butler
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Sarah Larkins
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Louisa Jorm
- Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rosemary J Korda
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Hoven H, Backhaus I, Gerő K, Kawachi I. Characteristics of employment history and self-perceived barriers to healthcare access. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:1080-1087. [PMID: 37857366 PMCID: PMC10710348 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that people in disadvantaged social positions are more likely to perceive barriers to accessing healthcare, especially to specialists and preventive services. In this study, we analyze if adversity during past employment histories (e.g. spells of unemployment) is linked to subsequent subjectively perceived barriers in healthcare access. Further, we investigate if the associations vary according to national healthcare access and quality indicators. METHODS We use data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe with a study sample of 31 616 men and women aged 52-80 from 25 countries. Data include retrospective information on employment histories allowing us to derive characteristics of past careers, including the number of unemployment periods, main occupational position and pension contributions. Barriers to healthcare access are measured by self-perceived forgone care due to costs and unavailability of services. We apply multilevel Poisson regression for binary outcomes and test for cross-level interactions between career characteristics and national healthcare system characteristics. RESULTS Career characteristics are linked to later self-perceived healthcare access barriers, consistently in the case of cost barriers and less consistently for unavailability of services. Associations are similar for men and women, and persist after controlling for current income, wealth and subjective health. We find no cross-level interactions between career characteristics and country-level healthcare access and quality indicators. CONCLUSION Self-perceived barriers to healthcare access are linked to people's past working lives. More in-depth investigation is needed to identify the reasons for the lingering effects of characteristics of employment history on reduced healthcare access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanno Hoven
- Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Sociology and Political Science, Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Insa Backhaus
- Department of Sociology and Political Science, Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research (CHAIN), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krisztina Gerő
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Böckmann R, Jaehn P, Bergholz A, Spallek J, Rapp MA, Holmberg C. [Development of an Index of Social Structures to Determine the Sociostructural Need for Physicians in Outpatient Care in Brandenburg]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 85:1140-1148. [PMID: 37253364 DOI: 10.1055/a-2042-9874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the growing numbers of physicians in outpatient care, continuing discussion about the planning of physician requirements suggests remaining problems in this field, which could be due to focussing on the ratio of physician to population rather than on morbidity-based evaluations. Against this background, this paper tries to depict the latent need in outpatient care, illustrates supply and demand and further tests the hypothesis that there is a relative inequality in distribution due to physicians preferring to locate in socially privileged areas in the German state of Brandenburg. METHODS We aggregated all data available on a small scale with potential impact on demand and examined it via principal component analysis. The generated factor was mapped together with the locations of general practitioners and specialists in general care. Using linear regressions, the number of practitioners was compared to the local index value to determine regional inequalities. RESULTS The PCA suggested a one factor solution; that factor was designated Social Structure Index due to its values. The mapping showed a tendency of higher index values towards the central areas of Brandenburg surrounding Berlin. Regressions of the number of practitioners against the index values revealed no significant differences between communities with high and low index values. CONCLUSION The extension of factors concluding the evaluation of physician demand in outpatient care confirms the problems of physician supply in rural areas, where sparse populations meet social disadvantages and poor accessibility. An underlying inequality in distribution in terms of physicians preferring socially privileged areas could not be detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Böckmann
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Philipp Jaehn
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Andreas Bergholz
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Jacob Spallek
- Department of Public Health, Brandenburgische Technische Universitat Cottbus-Senftenberg Campus Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Michael A Rapp
- Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Department für Sport- und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christine Holmberg
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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Bergholz A, Jaehn P, Böckmann R, Reibis R, Spallek J, Rapp MA, Ritter O, Demmerer N, Holmberg C. [Access to cardiological care infrastructure in the federal state of Brandenburg considering the local care needs]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 85:1157-1167. [PMID: 37327812 DOI: 10.1055/a-2075-7748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY In a nationwide comparison, the state of Brandenburg has one of the highest morbidity and mortality rates of ischemic heart disease. Access to medical care infrastructure is considered to be one possible explanation for regional health inequalities. Accordingly, the study aims to calculate the distances to different types of cardiology care at the community level and to consider these in the context of local care needs. METHODOLOGY Preventive sports facilities, general practitioners, outpatient specialist care, hospitals with cardiac catheterization laboratory and outpatient rehabilitation were chosen and mapped as essential facilities for cardiological care. Thereafter, the distances across the road network from the center of each Brandenburg community to the nearest location of each care facility was calculated and divided into quintiles. Medians and interquartile ranges of the German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation and the proportion of the population over 65 were used as measures of the need for care. They were then related to the distance quintiles per type of care facility. RESULTS For 60% of Brandenburg's municipalities, general practitioners were found to be within 2.5 km, preventive sports facilities within 19.6 km, cardiology practices within 18.3 km, hospitals with cardiac catheterization laboratories within 22.7 km, and outpatient rehabilitation facilities within 14.7 km. The median of the German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation rose with increasing distance for all types of care facilities. The median of the proportion of over 65-year-olds showed no significant variation between distance quintiles. CONCLUSIONS The results show that a high proportion of the population lives far away from cardiology care services, while a high proportion seems to be able to reach a general practitioner. In Brandenburg, a regional and locally oriented cross-sectoral care seems to be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bergholz
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Philipp Jaehn
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Robert Böckmann
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Rona Reibis
- Kardiologie, Kardiologische Gemeinschaftspraxis am Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jacob Spallek
- Department of Public Health, Brandenburgische Technische Universitat Cottbus-Senftenberg Campus Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Michael A Rapp
- Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Department für Sport- und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Potsdam, Germany
- Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Oliver Ritter
- Hochschulklinikum Brandenburg an der Havel, Klinik für Kardiologie, Nephrologie und Pneumologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Niklas Demmerer
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Christine Holmberg
- Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fakultät für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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Ha NT, Harris M, Bulsara M, Doust J, Kamarova S, McRobbie D, O'Leary P, Parizel PM, Slavotinek J, Wright C, Youens D, Moorin R. Patterns of computed tomography utilisation in injury management: latent classes approach using linked administrative data in Western Australia. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2023; 49:2413-2427. [PMID: 37318517 PMCID: PMC10728237 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-023-02303-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Whilst computed tomography (CT) imaging has been a vital component of injury management, its increasing use has raised concern regarding ionising radiation exposure. This study aims to identify latent classes (underlying patterns) of CT use over a 3-year period following the incidence of injury and factors predicting the observed patterns. METHOD A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in 21,544 individuals aged 18 + years presenting to emergency departments (ED) of four tertiary public hospitals with new injury in Western Australia. Mixture modelling approach was used to identify latent classes of CT use over a 3-year period post injury. RESULTS Amongst injured people with at least one CT scan, three latent classes of CT use were identified including a: temporarily high CT use (46.4%); consistently high CT use (2.6%); and low CT use class (51.1%). Being 65 + years or older, having 3 + comorbidities, history with 3 + hospitalisations and history of CT use before injury were associated with consistently high use of CT. Injury to the head, neck, thorax or abdomen, being admitted to hospital after the injury and arriving to ED by ambulance were predictors for the temporarily high use class. Living in areas of higher socio-economic disadvantage was a unique factor associated with the low CT use class. CONCLUSIONS Instead of assuming a single pattern of CT use for all patients with injury, the advanced latent class modelling approach has provided more nuanced understanding of the underlying patterns of CT use that may be useful for developing targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninh T Ha
- Health Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia.
| | - Mark Harris
- School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Max Bulsara
- Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA, Australia
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Jenny Doust
- Australian Women and Girls' Health Research Centre, School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sviatlana Kamarova
- Health Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
- School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Donald McRobbie
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Peter O'Leary
- Health Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QE2 Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Paul M Parizel
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Department of Radiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Victoria Square, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - John Slavotinek
- SA Medical Imaging, SA Health and College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Cameron Wright
- Health Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, 11 Robin Warren Dr, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- Division of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David Youens
- Health Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Rachael Moorin
- Health Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
- Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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Flodin P, Allebeck P, Gubi E, Burström B, Agardh EE. Income-based differences in healthcare utilization in relation to mortality in the Swedish population between 2004-2017: A nationwide register study. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004230. [PMID: 37971955 PMCID: PMC10653442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite universal healthcare, socioeconomic differences in healthcare utilization (HCU) persist in modern welfare states. However, little is known of how HCU inequalities has developed over time. The aim of this study is to assess time trends of differences in utilization of primary and specialized care for the lowest (Q1) and highest (Q5) income quantiles and compare these to mortality. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using a repeated cross-sectional register-based study design, data on utilization of (i) primary; (ii) specialized outpatient; and (iii) inpatient care, as well as (iv) cause of death, were linked to family income and sociodemographic control variables (for instance, country of origin and marital status). The study sample comprised all individuals 16 years or older residing in Sweden any year during the study period and ranged from 7.1 million in year 2004 to 8.0 million year 2017. HCU and mortality for all disease as well as for the 5 disease groups causing most deaths were compared for the Q1 and Q5 using logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, marital status, and birth country. The primary outcome measures were adjusted odds ratios (ORs), and regression coefficients of annual changes in these ORs log-transformed. Additionally, we conducted negative binominal regression to calculate adjusted rate ratios (RRs) comparing Q1 and Q5 with regard to number of disease specific healthcare encounters ≤5 years prior to death. In 2017, for all diseases combined, Q1 utilized marginally more primary and specialized outpatient care than Q5 (OR 1.07, 95% CI [1.07, 1.08]; p < 0.001, and OR 1.04, 95% CI [1.04, 1.05]; p < 0.001, respectively), and considerably more inpatient care (OR 1.44, 95% CI [1.43, 1.45]; p < 0.001). The largest relative inequality was observed for mortality (OR 1.78, 95% CI [1.74, 1.82]; p < 0.001). This pattern was broadly reproduced for each of the 5 disease groups. Time trends in HCU inequality varied by level of care. Each year, Q1 (versus Q5) used more inpatient care and suffered increasing mortality rates. However, utilization of primary and specialized outpatient care increased more among Q5 than in Q1. Finally, group differences in number of healthcare encounters ≤5 years prior to death demonstrated a similar pattern. For each disease group, primary and outpatient care encounters were fewer in Q1 than in Q5, while inpatient encounters were similar or higher in Q1. A main limitation of this study is the absence of data on self-reported need for care, which impedes quantifications of HCU inequalities each year. CONCLUSIONS Income-related differences in the utilization of primary and specialized outpatient care were considerably smaller than for mortality, and this discrepancy widened with time. Facilitating motivated use of primary and outpatient care among low-income groups could help mitigate the growing health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pär Flodin
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Allebeck
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ester Gubi
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Burström
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilie E. Agardh
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Hage S, Hagan M, Bi D, Stadnik A, Lee J, Romanos S, Srinath A, Shenkar R, Lee C, Horowitz PM, Girard R, Awad IA. Impact of socioeconomics and race on clinical follow-up and trial enrollment and adherence in cerebral cavernous malformation. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2023; 32:107167. [PMID: 37146402 PMCID: PMC10201538 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) affects more than a million Americans but advanced care for symptomatic lesions and access to research studies is largely limited to referral academic centers MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of CCM patients screened for research studies at an accredited center of excellence for CCM was analyzed. Demographics, lesion location, history of hemorrhage, insurance type and area of deprivation index (ADI) were collected. Primary outcomes were clinical follow-up within a year from initial evaluation, and enrollment and adherence in clinical trials among eligible subjects RESULTS: A majority (52.8%) of CCM patients evaluated had a high socioeconomic status (SES) (ADI 1-3), and only 11.5% were African American. Patients who had a symptomatic bleed were more likely to follow-up (p=0.01), and those with brainstem lesion were more likely to enroll/adhere in a clinical trial (p=0.02). Rates of clinical follow-up were similar across different ADI groups, insurance coverage and race. Patients who were uninsured/self-paying, and African Americans were more likely to decline/drop from clinical trials (OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.46-10.20 and OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.33-10.75, respectively), but differences were not statistically significant CONCLUSIONS: Access of disadvantaged patients to center of excellence care and research remains limited despite geographic proximity to their community. Patients with lower SES and African Americans are as likely to follow-up clinically, but there were trends of differences in enrollment/adherence in clinical trials. Mitigation efforts should target systemic causes of low access to specialized care among uninsured and African American patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hage
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Matthew Hagan
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Dehua Bi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Agnieszka Stadnik
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Justine Lee
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Sharbel Romanos
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Abhinav Srinath
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Robert Shenkar
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Cornelia Lee
- Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformations, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
| | - Peleg M Horowitz
- Neurotrauma Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Romuald Girard
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Issam A Awad
- Neurovascular Surgery Program, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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Kilian C, Lemp JM, Probst C. Who benefits from alcohol screening and brief intervention? A mini-review on socioeconomic inequalities with a focus on evidence from the United States. Addict Behav 2023; 145:107765. [PMID: 37315509 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-attributable mortality contributes to growing health inequalities. Addressing hazardous alcohol use and alcohol use disorders through alcohol screening and brief intervention is therefore a promising public health strategy to improve health equity. In this narrative mini-review, we discuss the extent to which socioeconomic differences exist in the alcohol screening and brief intervention cascade, highlighting the example of the United States. We have searched PubMed to identify and summarize relevant literature addressing socioeconomic inequalities in (a) accessing and affording healthcare, (b) receiving alcohol screenings, and/or (c) receiving brief interventions, focusing predominantly on literature from the Unites States. We found evidence for income-related inequalities in access to healthcare in the United States, partly due to inadequate health insurance coverage for individuals with low socioeconomic status. Alcohol screening coverage appears to be generally very low, as is the probability of receiving a brief intervention when indicated. However, research suggests that the latter is more likely to be provided to individuals with low socioeconomic status than those with high socioeconomic status. Individuals with low socioeconomic status also tend to benefit more from brief interventions, showing greater reductions in their alcohol use. Once access to and affordability of healthcare is ensured and high coverage of alcohol screening is achieved for all, alcohol screening and brief interventions have the potential to enhance health equity by reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related health harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kilian
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Julia M Lemp
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Probst
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Gleeson PK, Morales KH, Hvisdas C, LaCava AF, Harhay MO, Rank MA, Apter AJ, Himes BE. Factors Associated With Asthma Biologic Prescribing and Primary Adherence Among Adults in a Large Health System. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:1834-1842.e4. [PMID: 36907354 PMCID: PMC10330036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The availability of asthma biologics may not benefit all patients equally. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify patient characteristics associated with asthma biologic prescribing, primary adherence, and effectiveness. METHODS A retrospective, observational cohort study of 9,147 adults with asthma who established care with a Penn Medicine asthma subspecialist was conducted using Electronic Health Record data from January 1, 2016, to October 18, 2021. Multivariable regression models were used to identify factors associated with (1) receipt of a new biologic prescription; (2) primary adherence, defined as receiving a dose in the year after receiving the prescription, and (3) oral corticosteroid (OCS) bursts in the year after the prescription. RESULTS Factors associated with a new prescription, which was received by 335 patients, included being a woman (odds ratio [OR] 0.66; P = .002), smoking currently (OR 0.50; P = .04), having an asthma hospitalization in the prior year (OR 2.91; P < .001), and having 4+ OCS bursts in the prior year (OR 3.01; P < .001). Reduced primary adherence was associated with Black race (incidence rate ratio 0.85; P < .001) and Medicaid insurance (incidence rate ratio 0.86; P < .001), although most in these groups, 77.6% and 74.3%, respectively, still received a dose. Nonadherence was associated with patient-level barriers in 72.2% of cases and health insurance denial in 22.2%. Having more OCS bursts after receiving a biologic prescription was associated with Medicaid insurance (OR 2.69; P = .047) and biologic days covered (OR 0.32 for 300-364 d vs 14-56 d; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS In a large health system, primary adherence to asthma biologics varied by race and insurance type, whereas nonadherence was primarily explained by patient-level barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick K Gleeson
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
| | - Knashawn H Morales
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Christopher Hvisdas
- The Ambulatory Care Department of Pharmacy, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Anthony F LaCava
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Akron, Ohio
| | - Michael O Harhay
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Matthew A Rank
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz, and Division of Pulmonology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz
| | - Andrea J Apter
- Section of Allergy & Immunology, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Blanca E Himes
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
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Mazón-Ramos P, Román-Rego A, Díaz-Fernández B, Portela-Romero M, Garcia-Vega D, Bastos-Fernández M, Rey-Aldana D, Lage-Fernández R, Cinza-Sanjurjo S, González-Juanatey JR. [Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic above a universal electronic consultation program (e-consultation) between general practitioners and cardiologists]. Rev Clin Esp 2023; 223:350-358. [PMID: 37266520 PMCID: PMC10126221 DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Blackground and objective Virtual healthcare models, usually between healthcare professionals and patients, have developed strongly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but there are not data of models between clinicians. Our objective is to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and health outcomes of the universal e-consultation program for patient referrals between primary care physicians and the Cardiology Department in our area. Methods Patients with at least one e-consultation between 2018 and 2021 were selected. We analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity and waiting time for care, hospitalizations and mortality, taking as a reference the consultations carried out during 2018. Results We analysed 25,121 patients. Through logistic regression analysis, it was observed that a shorter delay in care and resolution of the e-consultation without the need for face-to-face care were associated with a better prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic periods (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) were not associated with worse health outcomes compared to 2018. Conclusions The results of our study show a significant reduction in e-consult referrals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic with a subsequent recovery in the demand for care without the pandemic periods being associated with worse outcomes. The reduction in the time elapsed for solving the e-consult and no need for in-person visit were associated with better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mazón-Ramos
- Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
| | - A Román-Rego
- Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
| | - B Díaz-Fernández
- Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
| | - M Portela-Romero
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
- CS Concepción Arenal, Área Sanitaria Integrada Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
| | - D Garcia-Vega
- Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
| | - M Bastos-Fernández
- Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
| | - D Rey-Aldana
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
- CS A Estrada, Área Sanitaria Integrada Santiago de Compostela, A Estrada, Pontevedra, España
| | - R Lage-Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
| | - S Cinza-Sanjurjo
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
- CS Porto do Son, Área Sanitaria Integrada Santiago de Compostela, Ames, España
| | - J R González-Juanatey
- Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, España
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, España
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Bell C, Prior A, Appel CW, Frølich A, Pedersen AR, Vedsted P. Multimorbidity and determinants for initiating outpatient trajectories: A population-based study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:739. [PMID: 37085788 PMCID: PMC10120141 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15453-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Individuals with multimorbidity often receive high numbers of hospital outpatient services in concurrent trajectories. Nevertheless, little is known about factors associated with initiating new hospital outpatient trajectories; identified as the continued use of outpatient contacts for the same medical condition. PURPOSE To investigate whether the number of chronic conditions and sociodemographic characteristics in adults with multimorbidity is associated with entering a hospital outpatient trajectory in this population. METHODS This population-based register study included all adults in Denmark with multimorbidity on January 1, 2018. The exposures were number of chronic conditions and sociodemographic characteristics, and the outcome was the rate of starting a new outpatient trajectory during 2018. Analyses were stratified by the number of existing outpatient trajectories. We used Poisson regression analysis, and results were expressed as incidence rates and incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We followed the individuals during the entire year of 2018, accounting for person-time by hospitalization, emigration, and death. RESULTS Incidence rates for new outpatient trajectories were highest for individuals with low household income and ≥3 existing trajectories and for individuals with ≥3 chronic conditions and in no already established outpatient trajectory. A high number of chronic conditions and male gender were found to be determinants for initiating a new outpatient trajectory, regardless of the number of existing trajectories. Low educational level was a determinant when combined with 1, 2, and ≥3 existing trajectories, and increasing age, western ethnicity, and unemployment when combined with 0, 1, and 2 existing trajectories. CONCLUSION A high number of chronic conditions, male gender, high age, low educational level and unemployment were determinants for initiation of an outpatient trajectory. The rate was modified by the existing number of outpatient trajectories. The results may help identify those with multimorbidity at greatest risk of having a new hospital outpatient trajectory initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathrine Bell
- Diagnostic Centre - University Research Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Central Denmark Region, Silkeborg, Danmark.
| | - Anders Prior
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Weiling Appel
- Diagnostic Centre - University Research Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Central Denmark Region, Silkeborg, Danmark
| | - Anne Frølich
- Innovation and Research Centre for Multimorbidity, Slagelse Hospital, Region Zealand, Denmark
- Centre for General Practice, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Asger Roer Pedersen
- Diagnostic Centre - University Research Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Central Denmark Region, Silkeborg, Danmark
| | - Peter Vedsted
- Diagnostic Centre - University Research Clinic for Innovative Patient Pathways, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Central Denmark Region, Silkeborg, Danmark
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
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Müller B, Gaul C, Reis O, Jürgens TP, Kropp P, Ruscheweyh R, Straube A, Brähler E, Förderreuther S, Schroth J, Dresler T. Headache impact and socioeconomic status: findings from a study of the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG). J Headache Pain 2023; 24:37. [PMID: 37016306 PMCID: PMC10071716 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGOUND Headache disorders are not only among the most prevalent, they are also among the most disabling disorders worldwide. This paper investigates the association between headache impact on daily life and the socioeconomic status (SES) of headache sufferers. METHODS Data stem from a random general population sample in Germany. Respondents who reported having headache for at least a year and were aged ≥ 18 years were included in the study. A standardized questionnaire addressing headache and headache treatment was filled in during the face-to-face survey. The impact of headache on daily life was measured using the German version of the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). RESULTS Higher headache impact was found in low and medium SES compared to high SES. After adjustment for sociodemographics, headache-related factors (analgesic use, headache duration, headache frequency, migraine diagnosis), depressive symptoms, physical inactivity and obesity, an increased odds ratio of having higher headache impact in low SES compared to high SES was found: OR = 1.83, 95% CI [1.43, 2.23], p = .014. When the interactions "SES*obesity", "SES*depressive symptoms", and "SES*physical inactivity" were added, the results showed a significant interaction effect of "SES*obesity". Obese persons with low SES were 3.64 times more likely to have higher headache impact than non-obese persons with low SES. No significant differences between obese and non-obese persons were found in the medium and high SES groups. CONCLUSIONS SES is an important factor that should not be neglected in headache awareness campaigns and headache treatment. Longitudinal studies are needed in the future to investigate whether lifestyle interventions, such as weight reduction, can help to reduce headache impact in people in lower SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Müller
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Charly Gaul
- Headache Center Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Olaf Reis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Tim P Jürgens
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Peter Kropp
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ruth Ruscheweyh
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Straube
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elmar Brähler
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) Adiposity Diseases - Behavioral Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie Förderreuther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schroth
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Brandenburg Medical School, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Thomas Dresler
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Pearce RJ, Cazzulino A, Swarup I. Rates and Factors Associated With Hardware Removal in Physeal Ankle Fractures: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System. FOOT & ANKLE ORTHOPAEDICS 2023; 8:24730114231182396. [PMID: 37425339 PMCID: PMC10328018 DOI: 10.1177/24730114231182396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ankle fractures are among the most common physeal fractures in children. When surgical management is warranted, subsequent hardware removal remains controversial. This study was designed to determine rates of hardware removal in patients with physeal ankle fractures and identify risk factors for removal. Procedure data was utilized to compare rates of subsequent ankle procedures in patients with hardware removed and hardware retained. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) for the years 2015 through 2021. We longitudinally followed patients treated for distal tibia physeal fractures to determine the rates of hardware removal and subsequent ankle procedures. Patients with open fractures or polytrauma were excluded. We used univariate, multivariate, and descriptive statistics to characterize the rates of hardware removal, identify factors associated with removal, and assess the rates of subsequent procedures. Results This study included 1008 patients who underwent surgical management of a physeal ankle fracture. The mean age at index surgery was 12.6 years with an SD of 2.2 years, and 60% of patients identified as male. Two hundred forty-two patients (24%) had their hardware removed at an average time of 276 days (range, 21-1435 days) following index surgery. Patients with Salter Harris III (SH-III) or Salter Harris IV (SH-IV) fractures had hardware removed more often than patients with Salter-Harris II (SH-II) fractures (28.9% vs 11.7%, P < .01). Four-year rates of subsequent ankle procedures are similar between patients with hardware removed and hardware retained. Conclusion The rate of hardware removal in children with physeal ankle fractures is higher than previously reported. Patients of younger age, higher income, and with fractures involving the epiphysis (SH-III and SH-IV) are more likely to undergo hardware removal. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Pearce
- School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alejandro Cazzulino
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ishaan Swarup
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Yamanie N, Chalik Sjaaf A, Felistia Y, Harry Susanto N, Diana A, Lamuri A, Miftahussurur M. High socioeconomic status is associated with stroke severity among stroke patients in the National Brain Centre Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Prev Med Rep 2023; 32:102170. [PMID: 36950179 PMCID: PMC10025083 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid economic growth has widened the gap between the rich and the poor, contributing to inequalities in socioeconomic status (SES) in Indonesia and possibly inequalities in health care. Here, we aimed to assess the potential association between SES and stroke severity in Indonesia, one of the largest low- and middle-income countries. Patients diagnosed with stroke at National Brain Centre (NBC) Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2020 were included in the study. SES was measured based on marital status, occupation, education level, source of payment, and hospitalized class with smoking status and sex as confounder. Stroke severity was classified based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score into minor stroke (Adams et al., 1993, Amarenco et al., 2014, Andersen and Olsen, 2018, Austin and Steyerberg, 2017) and moderate to severe stroke (>4). A total of 2,443 patients with moderate to severe stroke (58%) were analyzed. Currently employed patients had a lower adjusted OR (aOR) of 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.83) than unemployed patients. Patients with the highest education level, at least a diploma degree, had a lower aOR of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.49-0.92) than those with an elementary or no education. Our findings showed that patients with a higher SES had a lower risk of more severe stroke than those with a lower SES. Hence, we must focus on improving SES as part of stroke management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nizar Yamanie
- Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Indonesia
- National Brain Centre Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Amal Chalik Sjaaf
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Indonesia University, Indonesia
| | | | - Nugroho Harry Susanto
- Indonesia Research Partnership on Infectious Diseases (INA-RESPOND), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aly Diana
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia
| | - Aly Lamuri
- National Brain Centre Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Miftahussurur
- Division of Gastroentero-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Helicobacter Pylori and Microbiota Study Group, Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Corresponding author at: Gastroentero-Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-Dr. Soetomo Teaching Hospital, Universitas Airlangga, Jalan Mayjend Prof. Dr. Moestopo No. 6-8, Surabaya 60286, Indonesia.
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Study of Burden in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at Global, Regional, and National Levels from 1990 to 2019. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11040562. [PMID: 36833096 PMCID: PMC9957370 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing attention has recently been paid to the harm of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to women. However, due to the inconsistency of global clinical diagnostic standards and the differing allocation of medical resources among different regions, there is a lack of comprehensive estimation of the global incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of PCOS. Thus, it is difficult to assess the disease burden. We extracted PCOS disease data from 1990 to 2019 from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 and estimated the incidence, DALYs, and the corresponding age-standardized rates (ASRs) of PCOS, as well as the socio-demographic index (SDI) quintiles, to describe epidemiological trends at the global level, encompassing 21 regions and 204 countries and territories. Globally, the incidence and DALYs of PCOS have increased. Its ASR also shows an increasing trend. Among them, the high SDI quintile seems relatively stable, whereas other SDI quintiles are constantly rising over time. Our research has provided clues regarding the disease pattern and epidemic trend of PCOS and analyzed the possible causes of disease burden in some specific countries and territories, which may have some value in health resource allocation and health policy formulation and prevention strategies.
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Antunes M, Quintal C. Access for those who want or for those who can? Equity in the use of doctor's appointments in Portugal based on the HIS 2019. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2023; 28:107. [PMID: 36629557 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023281.07762022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal equity in the use of healthcare implies equal use for equal needs, regardless of other factors - be they predisposing or enabling (Andersen's model). This study aimed to assess equity in the use of doctor's appointments in Portugal in 2019, comparing the results with those obtained in a previous study, based on data from 2014. Data were retrieved from the Health Interview Survey 2019 (HIS 2019). Healthcare is measured by the number of doctor's appointments. Our study adopted the Negative Binomial Model to assess the factors affecting use. The concentration index was calculated to quantify income-related inequality/inequity. Compared to 2014, the effects of self-assessed health, limitations in daily living activities, and longstanding illnesses are more pronounced, and the region, income, household type and marital status are significant for appointments scheduled with a General Practitioner. In the case of appointments with specialists, health insurance lost statistical significance and the effect of education dropped; however, income became significant. The inequity index is not significant for appointments scheduled with a General Practitioner, as in 2014, but the (significant) value of this index increased for appointments with other specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Antunes
- CeBER, Faculty of Economics, Universidade de Coimbra. Av Dias da Silva 165. 3004-512 Coimbra Portugal.
| | - Carlota Quintal
- CeBER, CEISUC, Faculty of Economics, Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra Portugal
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Antunes M, Quintal C. Access for those who want or for those who can? Equity in the use of doctor’s appointments in Portugal based on the HIS 2019. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232023281.07762022en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract Horizontal equity in the use of healthcare implies equal use for equal needs, regardless of other factors - be they predisposing or enabling (Andersen’s model). This study aimed to assess equity in the use of doctor’s appointments in Portugal in 2019, comparing the results with those obtained in a previous study, based on data from 2014. Data were retrieved from the Health Interview Survey 2019 (HIS 2019). Healthcare is measured by the number of doctor’s appointments. Our study adopted the Negative Binomial Model to assess the factors affecting use. The concentration index was calculated to quantify income-related inequality/inequity. Compared to 2014, the effects of self-assessed health, limitations in daily living activities, and longstanding illnesses are more pronounced, and the region, income, household type and marital status are significant for appointments scheduled with a General Practitioner. In the case of appointments with specialists, health insurance lost statistical significance and the effect of education dropped; however, income became significant. The inequity index is not significant for appointments scheduled with a General Practitioner, as in 2014, but the (significant) value of this index increased for appointments with other specialists.
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Wilkens J, Thulesius H, Arvidsson E, Ekman B. Evaluating the effect of digital primary care on antibiotic prescription: Evidence using Swedish register data. Digit Health 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/20552076231156213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The growing use of digital primary care consultations has led to concerns about resource use, equity and quality. One of these is how it affects antibiotic prescription. Differences in ease of access for patients and available diagnostic information for the prescribing physicians are reasons to believe prescription rates may be affected. Objectives We estimated differences in antibiotic prescription between traditional office-based and digital contacts, if these differences varied between groups of diagnoses depending on the availability of information for the prescribing physician, and if differences were associated with socio-demographic patient characteristics. Methods Using individual level register data for a sample of patients diagnosed with an infection over a two-year period, we estimated differences in prescription between the two types of contacts and applied propensity score techniques to mitigate possible problems with treatment selection bias. Results The share of antibiotic prescription was 28 (95% CI 27–30, p < 0.001) to 33 (95% CI 29–36, p < 0.001) percentage points lower among digital contacts as compared to office-based contacts. For urinary tract infections, the differences in prescription rates between the two contact types were smaller (34 to 41 percentage points difference) than for throat and skin infections (50 to 60 percentage points difference). For women, rural, older, and people born outside Sweden, digital contacts were associated with higher prescription rates. Conclusions Antibiotic prescription rates were significantly lower for digital contacts compared with office-based contacts. The findings suggest that digital primary care may be an effective alternative to in-person visits without undue consequences for antibiotic prescription levels, although to varying degree depending on diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Wilkens
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hans Thulesius
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eva Arvidsson
- Futurum, Region Jönköping's County, Sweden
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Björn Ekman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Witkam R, Verstappen SMM, Gwinnutt JM, Cook MJ, O'Neill TW, Cooper R, Humphreys J. The association between lower socioeconomic position and functional limitations is partially mediated by obesity in older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: Findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1053304. [PMID: 36600944 PMCID: PMC9806847 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1053304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the longitudinal associations of socioeconomic position (SEP) with functional limitations and knee joint replacement surgery (JRS) in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), and whether body mass index (BMI) mediated these relationships. Methods Data came from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a national longitudinal panel study of adults aged ≥50 years. A total of 1,499 participants (62.3% female; mean age 66.5 (standard deviation (SD) 9.4) years; 47.4% obese) self-reporting an OA diagnosis and knee pain, with at least one BMI measurement were included. Mixed effect models estimated longitudinal associations of each SEP variable (education, occupation, income, wealth and deprivation index) and obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m2) with repeated measures of functional limitations. Cox regression analyses estimated associations between SEP indicators and obesity at baseline and risk of knee JRS at follow-up. Structural equation modeling estimated any mediating effects of BMI on these relationships. Results Lower SEP and obesity at baseline were associated with increased odds of functional limitations in people with knee OA [e.g., difficulty walking 100 yards: no qualification vs. degree adjOR 4.33 (95% CI 2.20, 8.55) and obesity vs. no obesity adjOR 3.06 (95% CI 2.14, 4.37); similar associations were found for the other SEP indicators]. A small proportion of the association between lower SEP and functional limitations could be explained by BMI (6.2-12.5%). Those with lower income, lower wealth and higher deprivation were less likely to have knee JRS [e.g., adjHR most vs. least deprived 0.37 (95% CI 0.19, 0.73)]; however, no clear association was found for education and occupation. Obesity was associated with increased hazards of having knee JRS [adjHR 1.87 (95% CI 1.32, 2.66)]. As the direction of the associations for SEP and obesity with knee JRS were in opposite directions, no mediation analyses were performed. Conclusions Lower SEP was associated with increased odds of functional limitations but lower hazards of knee JRS among people with knee OA, potentially indicating underutilization of JRS in those with lower SEP. Obesity partially mediated the relationship between lower SEP and increased odds of functional limitations, suggesting adiposity as a potential interventional target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozemarijn Witkam
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne M. M. Verstappen
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Suzanne M. M. Verstappen
| | - James M. Gwinnutt
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Cook
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Terence W. O'Neill
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Cooper
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, United Kingdom,AGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Humphreys
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Fernández-Martínez NF, Ruiz-Montero R, Gómez-Barroso D, Rodríguez-Torronteras A, Lorusso N, Salcedo-Leal I, Sordo L. Socioeconomic differences in COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation and mortality in urban areas in a region in the South of Europe. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2316. [PMID: 36503482 PMCID: PMC9742010 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To analyse differences in confirmed cases, hospitalisations and deaths due to COVID-19 related to census section socioeconomic variables. METHODS: Ecological study in the 12 largest municipalities in Andalusia (Spain) during the first three epidemic waves of the COVID-19 (02/26/20-03/31/21), covering 2,246 census sections (unit of analysis) and 3,027,000 inhabitants. Incidence was calculated, standardised by age and sex, for infection, hospitalisation and deaths based on average gross income per household (AGI) for the census tracts in each urban area. Association studied using a Poisson Bayesian regression model with random effects for spatial smoothing. RESULTS There were 140,743 cases of COVID-19, of which 12,585 were hospitalised and 2,255 died. 95.2% of cases were attributed to the second and third waves, which were jointly analysed. We observed a protective effect of income for infection in 3/12 cities. Almeria had the largest protective effect (smoothed relative risk (SRR) = 0.84 (0.75-0.94 CI 95%). This relationship reappeared with greater magnitude in 10/12 cities for hospitalisation, lowest risk in Algeciras SRR = 0.41 (0.29-0.56). The pattern was repeated for deaths in all urban areas and reached statistical significance in 8 cities. Lowest risk in Dos Hermanas SRR = 0.35 (0.15-0.81). CONCLUSIONS Income inequalities by geographical area were found in the incidence of COVID-19. The strengths of the association increased when analysing the severe outcomes of hospitalisations and, above all, deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás F Fernández-Martínez
- grid.411349.a0000 0004 1771 4667Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, 14004 Spain ,grid.428865.50000 0004 0445 6160Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Ruiz-Montero
- grid.411349.a0000 0004 1771 4667Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, 14004 Spain ,grid.428865.50000 0004 0445 6160Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Diana Gómez-Barroso
- grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain ,grid.466571.70000 0004 1756 6246CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Rodríguez-Torronteras
- grid.411349.a0000 0004 1771 4667Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, 14004 Spain
| | - Nicola Lorusso
- Dirección General de Salud Pública, Consejería de Salud y Consumo, Junta de Andalucía, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Salcedo-Leal
- grid.411349.a0000 0004 1771 4667Unidad de Gestión Clínica Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, 14004 Spain ,grid.428865.50000 0004 0445 6160Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Luis Sordo
- grid.466571.70000 0004 1756 6246CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain ,grid.4795.f0000 0001 2157 7667Departamento de Salud Pública y Materno-Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Parzen-Johnson S, Sun S, Patel AB, Scardina TL, Shah SK, Patel SJ. Sociodemographic Comparison of Children With High-risk Medical Conditions Referred vs Identified Through Screening Plus Outreach for COVID-19 Therapeutics. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2248671. [PMID: 36576739 PMCID: PMC9857346 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Minoritized groups are less likely to receive COVID-19 therapeutics, but few studies have identified potential methods to reduce disparities. OBJECTIVE To determine whether screening plus outreach, when compared with referral alone, increases identification of vulnerable pediatric patients at high risk for severe disease eligible for COVID-19 therapeutics from low-resourced communities. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 medication allocation between January 1, 2022, and February 15, 2022, at Lurie Children's Hospital, a quaternary care children's hospital, in Chicago, Illinois. The cohorts were pediatric patients referred for COVID-19 therapeutics or with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction within the hospital system followed by outreach. Screening involved daily review of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2, followed by medical record review for high-risk conditions, and communication with clinicians and/or patients and families to offer therapy. EXPOSURES Diagnosis of COVID-19. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary measure was difference in child opportunity index (COI) scores between the 2 cohorts. Secondary measures included presence and duration of symptoms at diagnosis, medication uptake, race and ethnicity, insurance type, qualifying medical condition, sex, primary language, and age. RESULTS Of 145 total patients, the median (IQR) age was 15 (13-17) years, and most were male (87 participants [60.0%]), enrolled in public insurance (83 participants [57.2%]), and members of minoritized racial and ethnic groups (103 participants [71.0%]). The most common qualifying conditions were asthma and/or obesity (71 participants [49.0%]). From 9869 SARS-CoV-2 tests performed, 94 eligible patients were identified via screening for COVID-19 therapeutics. Fifty-one patients were identified via referral. Thirty-two patients received medication, of whom 8 (25%) were identified by screening plus outreach alone. Compared with referred patients, patients in the screening plus outreach group were more likely to have moderate, low, or very low COI composite scores (70 patients [74.5%] vs 27 patients [52.9%]); public insurance (65 patients [69.1%] vs 18 patients [35.3%]); and asthma or obesity (60 patients [63.8%] vs 11 patients [21.6%]). Patients in the referral group were more likely to be non-Hispanic White (23 patients [45.1%] vs 19 patients [20.2%]) and receive medication (24 patients [47.1%] vs 8 patients [8.5%]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Compared with referral patients, screening plus outreach patients for COVID-19 medications were more socially vulnerable, with lower COI scores, and more likely to have asthma or obesity. Future studies should investigate communication strategies to improve uptake of these medications after outreach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Parzen-Johnson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Shan Sun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ami B Patel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tonya L Scardina
- Department of Pharmacy, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Seema K Shah
- Division of Advanced General Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sameer J Patel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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d'Elia A, Gabbay M, Rodgers S, Kierans C, Jones E, Durrani I, Thomas A, Frith L. Artificial intelligence and health inequities in primary care: a systematic scoping review and framework. Fam Med Community Health 2022; 10:fmch-2022-001670. [PMID: 36450391 PMCID: PMC9716837 DOI: 10.1136/fmch-2022-001670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Artificial intelligence (AI) will have a significant impact on healthcare over the coming decade. At the same time, health inequity remains one of the biggest challenges. Primary care is both a driver and a mitigator of health inequities and with AI gaining traction in primary care, there is a need for a holistic understanding of how AI affect health inequities, through the act of providing care and through potential system effects. This paper presents a systematic scoping review of the ways AI implementation in primary care may impact health inequity. DESIGN Following a systematic scoping review approach, we searched for literature related to AI, health inequity, and implementation challenges of AI in primary care. In addition, articles from primary exploratory searches were added, and through reference screening.The results were thematically summarised and used to produce both a narrative and conceptual model for the mechanisms by which social determinants of health and AI in primary care could interact to either improve or worsen health inequities.Two public advisors were involved in the review process. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Peer-reviewed publications and grey literature in English and Scandinavian languages. INFORMATION SOURCES PubMed, SCOPUS and JSTOR. RESULTS A total of 1529 publications were identified, of which 86 met the inclusion criteria. The findings were summarised under six different domains, covering both positive and negative effects: (1) access, (2) trust, (3) dehumanisation, (4) agency for self-care, (5) algorithmic bias and (6) external effects. The five first domains cover aspects of the interface between the patient and the primary care system, while the last domain covers care system-wide and societal effects of AI in primary care. A graphical model has been produced to illustrate this. Community involvement throughout the whole process of designing and implementing of AI in primary care was a common suggestion to mitigate the potential negative effects of AI. CONCLUSION AI has the potential to affect health inequities through a multitude of ways, both directly in the patient consultation and through transformative system effects. This review summarises these effects from a system tive and provides a base for future research into responsible implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander d'Elia
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark Gabbay
- Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah Rodgers
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ciara Kierans
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elisa Jones
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Lucy Frith
- Centre for Social Ethics & Policy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Chen Y, Liu W. Utilization and out-of-pocket expenses of primary care among the multimorbid elderly in China: A two-part model with nationally representative data. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1057595. [PMID: 36504938 PMCID: PMC9730339 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1057595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multimorbidity has become an essential public health issue that threatens human health and leads to an increased disease burden. Primary care is the prevention and management of multimorbidity by providing continuous, comprehensive patient-centered services. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the determinants of primary care utilization and out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) among multimorbid elderly to promote rational utilization of primary care and reduce avoidable economic burdens. Methods The study used data from CHARLS 2015 and 2018, which included a total of 4,384 multimorbid elderly aged 60 and above. Guided by Grossman theory, determinants such as education, gender, marriage, household economy, and so on were included in this study. A two-part model was applied to evaluate primary care utilization and OOPE intensity in multimorbid populations. And the robustness testing was performed to verify research results. Results Primary care visits rate and OOPE indicated a decline from 2015 to 2018. Concerning primary outpatient care, the elderly who were female (OR = 1.51, P < 0.001), married (OR = 1.24, P < 0.05), living in rural areas (OR = 1.77, P < 0.001) and with poor self-rated health (OR = 2.23, P < 0.001) had a significantly higher probability of outpatient utilization, whereas those with middle school education (OR = 0.61, P < 0.001) and better household economy (OR = 0.96, P < 0.001) had a significantly less likelihood of using outpatient care. Rural patients (β = -0.72, P < 0.05) may have lower OOPE, while those with better household economy (β = 0.29, P < 0.05; β = 0.58, P < 0.05) and poor self-rated health (β = 0.62, P < 0.001) occurred higher OOPE. Regarding primary inpatient care, adults who were living in rural areas (OR = 1.48, P < 0.001), covered by Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) or Urban Rural Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) (OR = 2.46, P < 0.001; OR = 1.81, P < 0.001) and with poor self-rated health (OR = 2.30, P < 0.001) had a significantly higher probability of using inpatient care, whereas individuals who were female (OR = 0.74, P < 0.001), with middle school education (OR = 0.40, P < 0.001) and better household economy (OR = 0.04, P < 0.001) had a significantly lower tendency to use inpatient care. Significantly, more OOPE occurred by individuals who were women (β = 0.18, P < 0.05) and with better household economy (β = 0.40, P < 0.001; β = 0.62, P < 0.001), whereas those who were covered by URBMI (β = -0.25, P < 0.05) and satisfied with their health (β = -0.21, P < 0.05) had less OOPE. Conclusion To prompt primary care visits and reduce economic burden among subgroups, more policy support is in need, such as tilting professional medical staff and funding to rural areas, enhancing awareness of disease prevention among vulnerable groups and so on.
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Abstract
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. Evidence indicates that health behaviours, comorbidities and disease-modifying therapies all contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) outcomes; however, our knowledge of the effects of social determinants — that is, the ‘risks of risks’ — on health has not yet changed our approach to MS. Assessing and addressing social determinants of health could fundamentally improve health and health care in MS; this approach has already been successful in improving outcomes in other chronic diseases. In this narrative Review, we identify and discuss the body of evidence supporting an effect of many social determinants of health, including racial background, employment and social support, on MS outcomes. It must be noted that many of the published studies were subject to bias, and screening tools and/or practical interventions that address these social determinants are, for the most part, lacking. The existing work does not fully explore the potential bidirectional and complex relationships between social determinants of health and MS, and the interpretation of findings is complicated by the interactions and intersections among many of the identified determinants. On the basis of the reviewed literature, we consider that, if effective interventions targeting social determinants of health were available, they could have substantial effects on MS outcomes. Therefore, funding for and focused design of studies to evaluate and address social determinants of health are urgently needed. Here, the authors discuss the potential effects of social determinants of health on multiple sclerosis risk and outcomes. They suggest that addressing these determinants of health could substantially improve the lives of individuals with multiple sclerosis and call for more research. Addressing an individual’s social determinants of health — that is, the conditions under which they are born, grow, live, work and age — could provide opportunities to reduce the burden of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Individual factors that may influence MS-related outcomes include sex, gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, education and employment, socioeconomic status, and domestic abuse. Societal infrastructures, including access to food, health care and social support, can also affect MS-related outcomes. Awareness of the specific circumstances of a patient with MS might help neurologists deliver better care. Social determinants of health are not static and can change according to wider sociopolitical contexts, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rigorous studies of interventions to ameliorate the effects of poor social determinants on people with MS are urgently needed.
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Sharma RK, Patel S, Gallant JN, Esianor BI, Duffus S, Wang H, Weiss VL, Belcher RH. Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the presentation and management of pediatric thyroid cancer. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 162:111331. [PMID: 36206698 PMCID: PMC10115562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Disparities across race and socioeconomic status (SES) in cancer treatment exist for many malignancies. Disadvantaged groups have repeatedly been shown to receive sub-optimal treatment. This study intends to analyze racial and SES disparities in the presentation and management of pediatric thyroid cancer. METHODS A retrospective national database study of children who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid papillary, medullary, and follicular carcinoma between 2007 and 2016 was conducted using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify predictors of 1) tumor stage/size at diagnosis and 2) treatment modalities. RESULTS 1942 children were analyzed. The average tumor size at presentation was 20 mm for White patients, 26 mm for Non-White patients, and 27 mm for Hispanic patients (p < 0.001). Stage of disease differed significantly by race/ethnicity (p < 0.001) with Non-White and Hispanic patients having more distant disease than White patients at presentation. On multivariable regression, Hispanic patients (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.06-1.87, p = 0.017) were more likely to be diagnosed at later stages. Non-White (OR 2.03, 1.50-2.73, p < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (OR 1.57, 1.19-2.07, p = 0.002) had larger tumors at diagnosis than White patients after controlling for other SES factors. CONCLUSIONS SES disparities exist in pediatric thyroid cancer. Non-White and Hispanic patients are more likely to present with larger tumors and distant disease as compared to White patients. Understanding and intervening on these SES disparities is essential to improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul K Sharma
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Siddharth Patel
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jean-Nicolas Gallant
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Brandon I Esianor
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sara Duffus
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Huiying Wang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Vivian L Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ryan H Belcher
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Kolden MØ, Nymo SH, Øie E. Impact of neighbourhood-level socioeconomic status, traditional coronary risk factors, and ancestry on age at myocardial infarction onset: A population-based register study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022; 22:447. [PMID: 36289452 PMCID: PMC9608887 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-022-02880-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is consensus that low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the extent to which traditional coronary risk factors and other characteristics of low SES mediate this effect remains uncertain. This study examined AMI patients residing in neighbouring city districts with the same local hospital despite having among the most considerable differences in mean SES in Norway. Our purpose was to assess low SES as a coronary risk factor and examine whether traditional coronary risk factors or ancestry mediate this effect. Methods Six hundred six patients (215 and 391 with a low and high neighbourhood-level SES, respectively) admitted to Diakonhjemmet Hospital with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) between 2014 and 2017, entered analysis. Data from the Norwegian Myocardial Infarction Register were used to identify patient characteristics, and the STATA/SE 15.1 software was used to perform the statistical analyses. Results Patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged city-districts had a 4.9 years earlier onset of AMI (68.99 vs. 73.89 years; p < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of previous AMI, known diabetes, and current smokers (36% vs. 27%, 25% vs. 12%, and 33% vs. 17%, respectively; all p ≤ 0.05). When only comparing patients with a first time AMI, an even greater difference in the age at AMI onset was found (6.1 yrs; p < 0.001). The difference in age at AMI onset remained statistically significant when adjusting for traditional coronary risk factors (3.28 yrs; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11−5.44; p = 0.003), but not when adjusting for presumed non-Northwest-European ancestry (1.81 yrs; 95% CI −0.55 to 4.17; p = 0.132). Conclusion This study supports earlier research showing an increased risk of AMI in socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. In our population, presumed non-Northwest-European ancestry could entirely explain the increased risk, whereas traditional coronary risk factors could only partly explain the increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Øie Kolden
- grid.413684.c0000 0004 0512 8628Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ståle H. Nymo
- grid.413684.c0000 0004 0512 8628Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erik Øie
- grid.413684.c0000 0004 0512 8628Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Hansen AH, Johansen ML. Personal continuity of GP care and outpatient specialist visits in people with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional survey. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276054. [PMID: 36282805 PMCID: PMC9595526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuity of care is particularly important for patients with chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Continuity is shown to reduce overall health service utilization among people with diabetes, however, evidence about how it relates to the utilization of outpatient specialist services in Norway is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate continuity of GP care for people with T2D, and its association with the use of outpatient specialist health care services. METHODS We used e-mail questionnaire data obtained from members of The Norwegian Diabetes Association in 2018. Eligible for analyses were 494 respondents with T2D and at least one GP visit during the previous year. By descriptive statistics and logistic regressions, we studied usual provider continuity (UPC) and duration of the patient-GP relationship and associations of these measures with somatic outpatient specialist visits. Analyses were adjusted for gender, age, education, self-rated health, and diabetes duration. RESULTS Mean age was 62.6 years and mean UPC was 0.85 (CI 0.83-0.87). Two thirds of the sample (66.0%) had made all visits to the regular GP during the previous year (full continuity). Among these, 48.1% had made one or more specialist visits during the previous year, compared to 65.2% among those without full continuity. The probability of outpatient specialist visits was significantly lower among participants with full continuity, compared to those without full continuity (Odds Ratio 0.53, Confidence Interval 0.35-0.80). The probability of visiting outpatient specialist services was not associated with duration of the patient-GP relationship. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that continuity of care, as measured by Usual Provider Continuity, is high and associated with reduced use of somatic outpatient specialist services in people with T2D in Norway. Continuity and its benefits will become increasingly important as the number of older people with diabetes and other chronic diseases increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Helen Hansen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway and University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - May-Lill Johansen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, Research Unit for General Practice, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Socioeconomic disparities in use of rhythm control therapies in patients with incident atrial fibrillation: A Finnish nationwide cohort study. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2022; 41:101070. [PMID: 35721311 PMCID: PMC9198807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.101070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), socioeconomic disparities have been reported in the use of oral anticoagulant therapy and outcomes, but whether income also affects the utilization of antiarrhythmic therapies (AATs) for rhythm control is unknown. We assessed the hypothesis that AF patients with higher income are more likely to receive AATs. Methods The nationwide retrospective registry based FinACAF cohort study covers all patients with AF from all levels of care in Finland. Patients were divided in AF diagnosis year and age-group specific income quintiles according to their highest annual income during 2004-2018. The primary outcome was the use of any AAT, including cardioversion, catheter ablation, and fulfilled antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) prescription. Results We identified 188 175 patients (mean age 72.6 ± 13.0 years; 49.6% female) with incident AF during 2010-2018. Patients in higher income quintiles had consistently higher use of all AAT modalities. When compared to patients in the lowest income quintile, the adjusted incidence rate ratios (95% CI) in the highest quintile were 1.53 (1.48-1.59) for any AAT, 1.71 (1.61-1.81) for AADs, 1.43 (1.37-1.49) for cardioversion, and 2.00 (1.76-2.27) for catheter ablation. No temporal change during study period was observed in the magnitude of income disparities in AAT use, except for a decrease in income-related differences in the use of AADs. Conclusion Profound income-related disparities exist in AAT use among patients with AF in Finland, especially in the use catheter ablation.
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Mohanty S, Harowitz J, Lad MK, Rouhi AD, Casper D, Saifi C. Racial and Social Determinants of Health Disparities in Spine Surgery Affect Preoperative Morbidity and Postoperative Patient Reported Outcomes: Retrospective Observational Study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2022; 47:781-791. [PMID: 35170553 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVE To elucidate racial and socioeconomic factors driving preoperative disparities in spine surgery patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA There are racial and socioeconomic disparities in preoperative health among spine surgery patients, which may influence outcomes for minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) populations. METHODS Presenting, postoperative day 90 (POD90), and 12-month (12M) outcome scores (PROMIS global physical and mental [GPH, GMH] and visual analog scale pain [VAS]) were collected for patients undergoing deformity arthrodesis or cervical, thoracic, or lumbar laminotomy or decompression/fusion; these procedures were the most common in our cohort. Social determinants of health for a patient's neighborhood (county, zip code, or census tract) were extracted from public databases. Multivariable linear regression with stepwise selection was used to quantify the association between a patient's preoperative GPH score and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS Black patients presented with 1 to 3 point higher VAS pain scores (7-8 vs. 5-6) and lower (worse) GPH scores (6.5-10 vs. 11-12) than White patients (P < 0.05 for all comparisons); similarly, lower SES patients presented with 1.5 points greater pain (P < 0.0001) and 3.5 points lower GPH (P < 0.0001) than high SES patients. Patients with lowest-quartile presenting GPH scores reported 36.8% and 37.5% lower (worse) POD-90 GMH and GPH scores than the highest quartile, respectively (GMH: 12 vs. 19, P < 0.0001; GPH: 15 vs. 24, P < 0.0001); this trend extended to 12 months (GMH: 19.5 vs. 29.5, P < 0.0001; GPH: 22 vs. 30, P < 0.0001). Reduced access to primary care (B = -1.616, P < 0.0001) and low SES (B = -1.504, P = 0.001), proxied by median household value, were independent predictors of worse presenting GPH scores. CONCLUSION Racial and socioeconomic disparities in patients' preoperative physical and mental health at presentation for spine surgery are associated adversely with postoperative outcomes. Renewed focus on structural factors influencing preoperative presentation, including timeliness of care, is essential.Level of Evidence: 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Mohanty
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jenna Harowitz
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Meeki K Lad
- New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
| | - Armaun D Rouhi
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - David Casper
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Comron Saifi
- Department of Oarthopaedic Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
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Erdsiek F, Aksakal T, Mader M, Idris M, Yılmaz-Aslan Y, Razum O, Brzoska P. Diversity-sensitive measures in German hospitals - attitudes, implementation, and barriers according to administration managers. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:689. [PMID: 35606740 PMCID: PMC9128136 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08058-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Populations have varying needs and expectations concerning health care that result from diversity characteristics such as a migrant background, gender identity, disability, and age. These needs and expectations must be considered to ensure adequate utilization and quality of health services. Approaches to address diversity do exist, however, little is known about the extent to which they are implemented by health care facilities. The present study aims to examine, which measures and structures hospitals in Germany employ to address diversity, as well as which barriers they encounter in doing so. Methods A mixed-mode survey among administration managers of all registered German hospitals (excluding rehabilitation hospitals; n = 1125) was conducted between May and October 2019 using pen-and-paper and online questionnaires. Results were analyzed descriptively. Results Data from n = 112 hospitals were available. While 57.1% of hospitals addressed diversity in their mission statement and 59.9% included diversity considerations in quality management, dedicated working groups and diversity commissioners were less prevalent (15.2% each). The majority of hospitals offered multi-lingual admission and exit interviews (59.8%), treatments or therapies (57.1%), but only few had multi-lingual meal plans (12.5%) and seminars or presentations (11.6%). While 41.1% of the hospitals offered treatment and/or nursing exclusively by staff of the same sex, only 17.0% offered group therapies for both sexes separately. According to the managers, the main barriers were a lack of financial resources (54.5%), a lack of incentives from the funding providers (49.1%), and organizational difficulties (45.5%). Other reported barriers were a lack of conviction of the necessity among decision makers (28.6%) and a lack of motivation among staff members (19.6%). Conclusions Administration managers from only a small proportion of hospitals participated in our survey on diversity sensitivity. Even hospitals of those who did are currently not adequately addressing the diversity of staff members and patients. Most hospitals address diversity on an ideational level, practical measures are not widely implemented. Existing measures suggest that most hospitals have no overarching concept to address diversity in a broader sense. The main reported barriers relate to economic aspects, a lack of support in organizing and implementing corresponding measures and a lack of awareness or motivation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08058-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Erdsiek
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Health Services Research, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448, Witten, Germany.
| | - Tuğba Aksakal
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Health Services Research, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
| | - Maria Mader
- Bielefeld University, School of Public Health, AG 3: Epidemiology and International Public Health, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Munzir Idris
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Health Services Research, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
| | - Yüce Yılmaz-Aslan
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Health Services Research, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448, Witten, Germany.,Bielefeld University, School of Public Health, AG 3: Epidemiology and International Public Health, Bielefeld, Germany.,Bielefeld University, School of Public Health, AG 6: Health Services Research and Nursing Science, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Razum
- Bielefeld University, School of Public Health, AG 3: Epidemiology and International Public Health, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Patrick Brzoska
- Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Health Services Research, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
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Bundgaard JS, Mogensen UM, Christensen S, Ploug U, Rørth R, Ibsen R, Kjellberg J, Køber L. Healthcare cost variation in patients with heart failure: a nationwide study. Public Health 2022; 207:88-93. [PMID: 35594807 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Heart failure (HF) imposes a major economic burden; however, the individual management for patients varies, potentially leading to large cost heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to investigate the spectrum of health cost by patients with HF and factors associated with high direct health cost. STUDY DESIGN This was a nationwide, retrospective longitudinal study. METHODS Using Danish nationwide registries from 2012 to 2015, we identified all patients aged >18 years with a first-time diagnosis of HF. Total health costs were investigated using two perspectives-at index and during 3 years of follow-up. Patients were investigated by decile cost groups. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with being in the highest cost decile compared with the rest (90%). RESULTS A total of 11,170 patients with HF were included, and those in the highest cost decile (n = 1117, 10%) were younger (69 vs. 75 years), fewer were females (34% vs. 43%), and more were inpatients (83% vs. 70%) compared with the rest of the patients with HF (n = 10,053, 90%). Patients in the highest cost decile (10%) incurred a 30 times higher cost with a mean total health cost in index year of €86,607 compared with €2893 for patients in lowest cost decile (10%). The results were similar for 3 years aggregated (€139,473 vs. €4086), corresponding to a 34 times higher cost. CONCLUSION In patients with HF, a large total health cost heterogeneity exists with younger age, inpatient admittance, male sex, and comorbidities being associated with a higher likelihood of belonging to the highest cost group.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Skov Bundgaard
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - U M Mogensen
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - R Rørth
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - J Kjellberg
- Danish Institute for Health Services Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Køber
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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The health of detainees and the role of primary care: Position paper of the European Forum for Primary Care. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2022; 23:e29. [PMID: 35574709 PMCID: PMC9112672 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423622000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This position paper aims to increase awareness among primary care practitioners and policymakers about the specific and complex health needs of people who experience incarceration. We focus on the importance of primary care and of continuity of care between prison and community. We highlight what is known from the literature on the health of people who experience incarceration, on the organisation of prison health care, and on the role of primary care both during and after detention. We present three case descriptions of detainees' encounters with the organisation of prison health care in three European countries. Finally, we describe the position that the European Forum for Primary Care takes. Prisoners and ex-prisoners have a worse physical and mental health compared with a cross-section of the population. However, access to good quality treatment and care is often worse than in the outside situation. In particular, well-organised primary care in the prison context could benefit prisoners and, indirectly, society at large. Moreover, continuity of care between the community and the prison situation needs improvement.
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Klein J, Strauß A, Koens S, Schäfer I, von dem Knesebeck O. Intended healthcare utilisation in cases of severe COVID-19 and inflammatory gastrointestinal disease: results of a population survey with vignettes. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057644. [PMID: 35361649 PMCID: PMC8971358 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine variations in intended healthcare utilisation in severe cases of COVID-19 and inflammatory gastrointestinal disease (IGD). DESIGN Representative cross-sectional telephone survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS 1207 randomly drawn adults of the city of Hamburg, Germany, between November 2020 and January 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES Different vignettes with severe symptoms were presented varying in sex, age (child, middle-aged person, older person), daytime (Tuesday morning or Tuesday evening) and disease (COVID-19 or IGD), while the degree of urgency was equivalent for all cases. The respondents were asked for the intended healthcare utilisation resulting in three different alternatives: general practitioner (GP)/paediatrician, medical on-call service ('116117') and emergency care (accident and emergency department, emergency practice, rescue service). In multivariate analyses, associations of characteristics of the vignettes and participants (sex, age, education, migration background) with intended healthcare utilisation were tested. In a further step, analyses were conducted separately for IGD and COVID-19. RESULTS Regarding the vignettes' characteristics, intended utilisation of GP/paediatrician is associated with female sex, higher age, daytime (morning) and COVID-19 symptoms, the medical on-call service with male sex, daytime (evening) and COVID-19 symptoms and the emergency medicine with younger age, daytime (evening) and IGD. Women chose more often the GP/paediatrician, men preferred emergency medicine. Only in case of IGD, higher educated persons more often chose the medical on-call service while people with a migration background decided less often for medical on-call service and emergency medicine. CONCLUSIONS Despite comparable urgency, the findings suggest variations of intended healthcare utilisation depending on various characteristics of the vignettes and respondents. Depending on the type of disease inequalities vary. Overall, information about healthcare alternatives in severe cases has to be improved and clear pathways to facilitate healthcare utilisation has to be further developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Klein
- Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annette Strauß
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Koens
- Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ingmar Schäfer
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Olaf von dem Knesebeck
- Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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Manthey J, Carr S, Anderson P, Bautista N, Braddick F, O’Donnell A, Jané-Llopis E, López-Pelayo H, Medina P, Mejía-Trujillo J, Pérez-Gómez A, Piazza M, Rehm J, Solovei A, Rey GN, de Vries H, Schulte B. Reduced alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: Analyses of 17 000 patients seeking primary health care in Colombia and Mexico. J Glob Health 2022; 12:05002. [PMID: 35356652 PMCID: PMC8932607 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.05002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase of heavy alcohol use has been reported in several high-income countries. We examined changes in alcohol use during the pandemic among primary health care (PHC) patients in two middle income countries, Colombia and Mexico. Methods Data were collected during routine consultations in 34 PHC centres as part of a large-scale implementation study. Providers measured patients’ alcohol consumption with the three item ‘Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test’ (AUDIT-C). Generalized linear mixed models were performed to examine changes in two dependent variables over time (pre-pandemic and during pandemic): 1) the AUDIT-C score and 2) the proportion of heavy drinking patients (8+ on AUDIT-C). Results Over a period of more than 600 days, data from N = 17 273 patients were collected. During the pandemic, the number of patients with their alcohol consumption measured decreased in Colombia and Mexico. Each month into the pandemic was associated with a 1.5% and 1.9% reduction in the mean AUDIT-C score in Colombia and Mexico, respectively. The proportion of heavy drinking patients declined during the pandemic in Colombia (pre-pandemic: 5.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.8% to 6.0%; during the pandemic: 0.8%, 95% CI = 0.6% to 1.1%) but did not change in Mexico. Conclusions Average consumption levels declined and the prevalence of heavy drinking patterns did not increase. In addition to reduced opportunities for social drinking during the pandemic, changes in the population seeking PHC and restrictions in alcohol availability and affordability are likely drivers for lower levels of alcohol use by patients in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Manthey
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sinclair Carr
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Anderson
- Department of Health Promotion, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Natalia Bautista
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Huipulco, Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Fleur Braddick
- Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Dept, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amy O’Donnell
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Eva Jané-Llopis
- Department of Health Promotion, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Univ. Ramon Llull, ESADE, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hugo López-Pelayo
- Addictions Unit, Psychiatry Dept, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Red de Trastornos Adictivos, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Perla Medina
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Huipulco, Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | | | | | - Marina Piazza
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Jürgen Rehm
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Solovei
- Department of Health Promotion, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Guillermina Natera Rey
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Huipulco, Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Hein de Vries
- Department of Health Promotion, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Bernd Schulte
- Center for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research (ZIS), Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Matranga D, Maniscalco L. Inequality in Healthcare Utilization in Italy: How Important Are Barriers to Access? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031697. [PMID: 35162720 PMCID: PMC8835011 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
With the ageing population, equitable access to medical care has proven to be paramount for the effective and efficient management of all diseases. Healthcare access can be hindered by cost barriers for drugs or exams, long waiting lists or difficult access to the place where the needed healthcare service is provided. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether the probability of facing one of these barriers varies among individuals with different socio-economic status and care needs, controlling for geographical variability. METHODS The sample for this study included 9629 interviews with Italian individuals, aged 15 and over, from the second wave (2015) of the European Health Interview Survey, which was conducted in all EU Member States. To model barriers to healthcare, two-level variance components of logistic regression models with a nested structure given by the four Italian macro-areas were considered. RESULTS Of the barriers considered in this study, only two were found to be significantly associated with healthcare utilization. Specifically, they are long waiting lists for specialist service accessibility (adjOR = 1.20, 95% CI (1.07; 1.35)) and very expensive exams for dental visit accessibility (adjOR = 0.84, 95% CI (0.73; 0.96)). Another important result was the evidence of an increasing north-south gradient for all of the considered barriers. CONCLUSION In Italy, healthcare access is generally guaranteed for all of the services, except for specialist and dental visits that face a waiting time and financial barriers. However, barriers to healthcare were differentiated by income and sex. The north-south gradient for healthcare utilization could be explained through the existing differences in organizational characteristics of the several regional healthcare services throughout Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Matranga
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Maniscalco
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
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Meulman I, Uiters E, Polder J, Stadhouders N. Why does healthcare utilisation differ between socioeconomic groups in OECD countries with universal healthcare coverage? A protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e054806. [PMID: 34815290 PMCID: PMC8611423 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Even in advanced economies with universal healthcare coverage (UHC), a social gradient in healthcare utilisation has been reported. Many individual, community and healthcare system factors have been considered that may be associated with the variation in healthcare utilisation between socioeconomic groups. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the complex interaction and relative contribution of these factors to socioeconomic differences in healthcare utilisation. In order to improve understanding of why utilisation patterns differ by socioeconomic status (SES), the proposed systematic review will explore the main mechanisms that have been examined in quantitative research. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines and will be conducted in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Econlit and PsycInfo. Articles examining factors associated with the differences in primary and specialised healthcare utilisation between socioeconomic groups in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with UHC will be included. Further restrictions concern specifications of outcome measures, factors of interest, study design, population, language and type of publication. Data will be numerically summarised, narratively synthesised and thematically discussed. The factors will be categorised according to existing frameworks for barriers to healthcare access. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION No primary data will be collected. No ethics approval is required. We intend to publish a scientific article in an international peer-reviewed journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Meulman
- Centre for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Uiters
- Center for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Polder
- Centre for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Stadhouders
- Centre for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Majumder S. Socioeconomic status scales: Revised Kuppuswamy, BG Prasad, and Udai Pareekh's scale updated for 2021. J Family Med Prim Care 2021; 10:3964-3967. [PMID: 35136753 PMCID: PMC8797108 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_600_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a critical measure that helps to correlate well-being and social status. SES plays a significant role in determining an individual’s quality of life, health, social position, and class. The widely accepted SES scales are the Kuppuswamy scale, BG Prasad scale, and Udai Pareekh scale. The income range is revised by using an online dedicated tool for this purpose. The scale is based on the income domain to decide the SES, which needs to be revised regularly based on the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW). The study is the revised income range of the Kuppuswamy scale and BG Prasad scale as per the CPI-IW January 2021. However, all three scales have a few limitations and are not applicable to both the rural and urban areas at the same time.
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