Prevalence and practice for rare diseases in primary care: a national cross-sectional study in the USA.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:There are more than 7000 rare diseases in the USA, and they are prevalent in 8% of the population. Due to life-threatening risk and limited therapies, early detection and treatment are critical. The purpose of this study was to explore characteristics of visits for patients with rare diseases seen by primary care physicians (PCPs). DESIGN:The study used a cross sectional study using a national representative dataset, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for the years 2012-2014. SETTING:Primary care setting. PARTICIPANTS:Visits to PCPs (n=22 306 representing 354 507 772 office visits to PCPs). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES:Prevalence of rare diseases in visits of PCPs was the primary outcome. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses were used to compare patients with

SUBMITTER: Jo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6500220 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature