Trends in the diagnosis of diseases of despair in the United States, 2009-2018: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Increasing mortality and decreasing life expectancy in the USA are largely attributable to accidental overdose, alcohol-related disease and suicide. These 'deaths of despair' often follow years of morbidity, yet little is known about trends in the clinical recognition of 'diseases of despair'. The objective of this study is to characterise rates of clinically documented diseases of despair over the last decade and identify sociodemographic risk factors.

Design

Retrospective study using a healthcare claims database with 10 years of follow-up.

Setting

Participants resided nationwide but were concentrated in US states disproportionately affected by deaths of despair, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware.

Participants

Cohort i

SUBMITTER: Brignone E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7654125 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature