Dataset Information

The patterns of health care utilization by elderly Europeans: frailty and its implications for health systems.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the patterns of health care utilization by the elderly and test the influence of functional decline.

Data source and study design

We used the three regular waves of the SHARE survey to estimate the influence of frailty on health care utilization in 10 European countries. We controlled for the main correlates of frailty and unobserved individual effects.

Results

The frail elderly increase their primary and hospital care utilization before the onset of disability. Multimorbidity moderates the effect of frailty on care utilization.

Conclusions

The prevalence of frailty is high in most countries and is expected to increase. This renders frailty prevention and remediation efforts imperative for two complementary reasons: to promote healthier aging and to reduce the burden on health systems.

SUBMITTER: Ilinca S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4319884 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The patterns of health care utilization by elderly Europeans: frailty and its implications for health systems.

Ilinca Stefania S Calciolari Stefano S

Health services research 20140819 1

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine the patterns of health care utilization by the elderly and test the influence of functional decline.<h4>Data source and study design</h4>We used the three regular waves of the SHARE survey to estimate the influence of frailty on health care utilization in 10 European countries. We controlled for the main correlates of frailty and unobserved individual effects.<h4>Results</h4>The frail elderly increase their primary and hospital care utilization before the onset of di ...[more]

PMID: 25139146

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Project description:BackgroundLyme disease is the most frequently reported vector borne infection in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control have estimated that approximately 10% to 20% of individuals may experience Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome - a set of symptoms including fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and neurocognitive complaints that persist after initial antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease. Little is known about the impact of Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms (PTLDS) on health care costs and utilization in the United States.Objectives1) to examine the impact of Lyme disease on health care costs and utilization, 2) to understand the relationship between Lyme disease and the probability of developing PTLDS, 3) to understand how PTLDS may impact health care costs and utilization.MethodsThis study utilizes retrospective data on medical claims and member enrollment for persons aged 0-64 years who were enrolled in commercial health insurance plans in the United States between 2006-2010. 52,795 individuals treated for Lyme disease were compared to 263,975 matched controls with no evidence of Lyme disease exposure.ResultsLyme disease is associated with $2,968 higher total health care costs (95% CI: 2,807-3,128, p<.001) and 87% more outpatient visits (95% CI: 86%-89%, p<.001) over a 12-month period, and is associated with 4.77 times greater odds of having any PTLDS-related diagnosis, as compared to controls (95% CI: 4.67-4.87, p<.001). Among those with Lyme disease, having one or more PTLDS-related diagnosis is associated with $3,798 higher total health care costs (95% CI: 3,542-4,055, p<.001) and 66% more outpatient visits (95% CI: 64%-69%, p<.001) over a 12-month period, relative to those with no PTLDS-related diagnoses.ConclusionsLyme disease is associated with increased costs above what would be expected for an easy to treat infection. The presence of PTLDS-related diagnoses after treatment is associated with significant health care costs and utilization.

Dataset Information

The patterns of health care utilization by elderly Europeans: frailty and its implications for health systems.

Objective

Data source and study design

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The patterns of health care utilization by elderly Europeans: frailty and its implications for health systems.

Similar Datasets

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