Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health in Austin, Austin, Texas.
Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health in Austin, Austin, Texas.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2021 Oct;44(8):591-600. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2022.02.002. Epub 2022 Jun 6.
The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in the expenditure and utilization of chiropractic care in a representative sample of children and adolescents in the United States (US) aged <18 years.
We evaluated serial cross-sectional data (2007-2016) from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Weighted descriptive statistics were conducted to derive national estimates of expenditure and utilization, and linear regression was used to determine trends over time. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of chiropractic users were also reported.
A statistically significant increasing trend was observed for the number of children receiving chiropractic care (P <.05) and chiropractic utilization rate (P < .05). Increases in chiropractic expenditure and the number of chiropractic visits were also observed over time but were not statistically significant (P > .05). The mean annual number of visits was 6.4 visits, with a mean expenditure of $71.49 US dollars (USD) per visit and $454.08 USD per child. Children and adolescent chiropractic users in the United States were primarily 14 to 17 years old (39.6%-61.6%), White (71.5%-76.9%), male (50.6%-51.3%), and privately insured (56.7%-60.8%). Chiropractic visits in this population primarily involved low back conditions (52.4%), spinal curvature (14.0%), and head and neck complaints (12.8%).
The number of children visiting a chiropractor and percent utilization showed a statistically significant, increasing trend from 2007 to 2016; however, total expenditure and the number of chiropractic visits did not significantly differ during this period. These findings provide novel insight into the patterns of chiropractic utilization in this understudied age group.
本研究旨在考察美国（美国）年龄<18 岁的儿童和青少年中接受整脊治疗的支出和利用趋势。
我们评估了来自医疗支出面板调查的连续横断面数据（2007-2016 年）。使用加权描述性统计数据得出支出和利用率的全国估计值，并使用线性回归确定随时间的趋势。还报告了整脊使用者的社会人口统计学和临床特征。
接受整脊治疗的儿童人数（P <.05）和整脊利用率（P <.05）呈统计学显著增加趋势。随着时间的推移，整脊支出和整脊就诊次数也有所增加，但无统计学意义（P >.05）。平均年就诊次数为 6.4 次，每次就诊的平均支出为 71.49 美元，每名儿童为 454.08 美元。美国儿童和青少年整脊使用者主要为 14 至 17 岁（39.6%-61.6%），白人（71.5%-76.9%），男性（50.6%-51.3%）和私人保险（56.7%-60.8%）。该人群的整脊就诊主要涉及下背部疾病（52.4%），脊柱弯曲（14.0%）和头颈部投诉（12.8%）。
从 2007 年到 2016 年，看脊医的儿童人数和利用率呈统计学显著增加趋势；然而，在此期间，整脊就诊次数和支出总数没有显着差异。这些发现为研究这一年龄组的整脊利用模式提供了新的见解。
