Valovirta E, Kocevar V Sazonov, Kaila M, Kajosaari M, Koivikko A, Korhonen K, Linna O, Mäkelä M, Remes K, Ben-Joseph R H
Turku Allergy Centre, Finland.
Eur Respir J. 2002 Aug;20(2):397-402. doi: 10.1183/09031936.02.00238202.
Asthma is the most common chronic disorder among Finnish children, however, the economic burden of paediatric asthma in Finland has not yet been comprehensively evaluated. The objective of this study was to compare inpatient resource utilisation between younger (2-5 yrs) and older children (6-14 yrs) with asthma in Finland. A national database of inpatient resource utilisation was applied to determine use of hospital services among children with asthma in 1999. Regional estimates of charges were combined with hospitalisation episodes to determine total inpatient cost. The results indicate that younger asthmatic children consume 3-times more inpatient resources per capita. Incidence of first admissions because of asthma was 3-times higher in younger children. Hospitalisation and rehospitalisation rates were also 3- and 4-times higher, respectively. The total annual inpatient cost of asthma in children aged 2-5 and 6-14 yrs was Euro 1.98 million with each group accounting for Euro 1.12 million and Euro 0.86 million, respectively. Regional and age-related differences in hospitalisation rates and costs were likely related to variable clinical practice on the primary level, difficulties with diagnosis and compliance among younger children.
哮喘是芬兰儿童中最常见的慢性疾病，然而，芬兰儿童哮喘的经济负担尚未得到全面评估。本研究的目的是比较芬兰年龄较小（2至5岁）和年龄较大（6至14岁）的哮喘儿童的住院资源利用情况。利用一个全国性住院资源利用数据库来确定1999年哮喘儿童的医院服务使用情况。将区域收费估计数与住院次数相结合，以确定住院总费用。结果表明，年龄较小的哮喘儿童人均消耗的住院资源多3倍。年龄较小的儿童因哮喘首次入院的发生率高3倍。住院率和再次住院率也分别高3倍和4倍。2至5岁和6至14岁儿童哮喘的年度住院总费用为198万欧元，每组分别为112万欧元和86万欧元。住院率和费用的区域及年龄相关差异可能与基层临床实践的差异、年龄较小儿童的诊断困难和依从性有关。
