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Chou YC, Cheng FS, Weng SH, Yen YF, Hu HY. Impact of household income on the risk of overweight and obesity over time among preschool-aged children: a population-based cohort study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:549. [PMID: 38383321 PMCID: PMC10882872 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The temporality of household income level with overweight/obesity in children has not been extensively studied. Little research has been conducted to determine the impact of household income on the risk of childhood overweight/obesity over time. This population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of household income on the risk of overweight/obesity over time among preschool-aged children in Taiwan. METHODS From 2009 to 2018, we recruited 1,482 preschool-aged children ( ≦ 7 y of age) from low-income households and selected age- and sex-matched controls from non-low-income households for comparison; All participants were selected from those who consistently participated in the Taipei Child Development Screening Program and were monitored for overweight/obesity using body mass index (BMI) until December 31, 2018. Low-income households were defined as those with an average monthly disposable income < 60% of the minimum standard of living expense in Taiwan. The primary outcome was childhood overweight or obesity in study participants, defined as BMI (kg/m2) ≥ 85th percentile or ≥ 95th percentile, respectively. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to determine the impact of low-income households on the risk of overweight/obesity in study participants. RESULTS Over 21,450 person-years of follow-up, 1,782 participants developed overweight /obesity, including 452 (30.5%) and 1,330 (22.4%) children from low- and non-low-income households, respectively. The GEE model showed that the first group had a significantly higher risk of becoming overweight/obese than the other during the follow-up period (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29-1.60). Moreover, children of foreign mothers had a higher risk of becoming overweight/obese than those of Taiwanese mothers during the follow-up period (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.24-1.8). The subgroup analysis revealed a significant association between low-income households and an increased risk of overweight/obesity in children aged 2-7 years (P =.01). However, this association was not observed in children aged 0-1 years (P >.999). CONCLUSIONS During the follow-up period, there was a notable correlation between low-income households and an increased risk of preschool-aged children developing overweight or obesity. Implementing health promotion initiatives aimed at reducing overweight and obesity in this demographic is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chang Chou
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, No.145, Zhengzhou Rd., Datong Dist., 103212, Taipei, Taiwan
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Shiang Cheng
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, No.145, Zhengzhou Rd., Datong Dist., 103212, Taipei, Taiwan
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Weng
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, No.145, Zhengzhou Rd., Datong Dist., 103212, Taipei, Taiwan
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Feng Yen
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, No.145, Zhengzhou Rd., Datong Dist., 103212, Taipei, Taiwan
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Yun Hu
- Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, No.145, Zhengzhou Rd., Datong Dist., 103212, Taipei, Taiwan.
- University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Chen HH, Wang IA, Hsieh TW, Tsay JH, Chen CY. Early predictors for maltreatment-related injuries in infancy and long-term mortality: a population-based study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2232. [PMID: 37957616 PMCID: PMC10641954 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Incidence, health consequences, and social burden associated with child maltreatment appeared to be borne disproportionately by very young children. We conducted a population-based data linkage study to explore child- and family-level factors that affect receiving different diagnoses of maltreatment injuries and investigate excessive mortality throughout toddlerhood. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study comprising 2.2 million infants born in 2004-2014 in Taiwan. Incident cases of child maltreatment were defined by hospitalization or emergency department visits for three heterogeneous diagnostic groups of maltreatment-related injuries (i.e., maltreatment syndrome, assaults, and undetermined causes) within 12 months after birth. The generalized linear model and landmark survival analyses were used to evaluate risk factors. RESULTS An estimated 2.9‰ of infants experienced at least one maltreatment-related injury, with a three-year mortality rate of 1.3%. Low birthweight was associated with increased risk of receiving the diagnosis of three maltreatment injuries, particularly maltreatment syndrome (adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio [aIRR] = 4.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.93-5.68). Socially advantaged family condition was inversely linked with receiving the diagnosis of maltreatment syndrome and assaults (e.g., high income: aIRR = 0.55 and 0.47), yet positively linked with undetermined cause (aIRR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.89-2.23). For infants exposed to maltreatment, low birth weight and non-attendance of postnatal care were highly predictive of fatality; low birthweight served as a vital predictor for premature death during toddlerhood (aIRR = 6.17, 95% CI: 2.36-15.4). CONCLUSIONS Raising awareness of maltreatment-related injuries in infancy and predictors should be a priority for appropriate follow-up assessment and timely intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Hung Chen
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Medical Building II, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, The Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-An Wang
- Center of Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Tan-Wen Hsieh
- Center of Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Huoy Tsay
- Department of Social Work, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Yu Chen
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Medical Building II, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
- Center of Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.
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Phelps KB, Gebremariam A, Andrist E, Barbaro RP, Freed GL, Carlton EF. Children with severe sepsis: relationship between community level income and morbidity and mortality. Pediatr Res 2023:10.1038/s41390-023-02500-w. [PMID: 36804502 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02500-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health disparities surrounding pediatric severe sepsis outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to measure the relationship between indicators of socioeconomic status and mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and readmission rates among children hospitalized with severe sepsis. METHODS Children 0-18 years old, hospitalized with severe sepsis in the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2018) were included. The primary exposure was median household income by ZIP Code of residence, divided into quartiles. RESULTS We identified 15,214 index pediatric severe sepsis hospitalizations. There was no difference in hospital mortality rate or readmission rate across income quartiles. Among survivors, patients in Q1 (lowest income) had a 2 day longer LOS compared to those in Q4 (Median 10 days [IQR 4-21] vs 8 days [IQR 4-18]; p < 0.0001). However, there was no difference after adjusting for multiple covariates. CONCLUSIONS Children living in Q1 had a 2 day longer LOS versus their peers in Q4. This was not significant on multivariable analysis, suggesting income quartile is not driving this difference. As pediatric severe sepsis remains an important source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill children, more sensitive metrics of socioeconomic status may better elucidate any disparities. IMPACT Children with severe sepsis living in the lowest income ZIP Codes may have longer hospital stays compared to peers in higher income communities. More precise metrics of socioeconomic status are needed to better understand health disparities in pediatric severe sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla B Phelps
- Divison of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| | - Acham Gebremariam
- Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erica Andrist
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ryan P Barbaro
- Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gary L Freed
- Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Division of General Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erin F Carlton
- Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Incidence of Voice Disorders among Private School Teachers in Taiwan: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031130. [PMID: 35162161 PMCID: PMC8834254 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Teachers are more likely to use a loud voice at work than the general working population, but few longitudinal studies have been conducted on their risk of voice disorders. The occurrence of voice disorders in private school teachers was assessed by using the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 of Taiwan, which contains information on a random sample of 1 million beneficiaries of National Health Insurance. Methods: This study included private school teachers who were under 35 years old and newly employed between 2000 and 2010, and used workers with other occupations as the comparison cohort. Patients with voice disorders were identified using diagnostic codes on insurance claims. Cox proportional hazards regressions were applied to obtain relative risk estimates. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, income, and comorbidities of sinusitis and laryngitis, private school teachers had a higher risk of developing voice disorders (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.58; 95% confidence intervals: 1.43-1.75). In addition, the finding that elementary and high-school teachers had a higher risk than college teachers (HR: 2.56 vs. 1.44) and the pattern of increases in cumulative incidence over time supported a dose-response relationship between teaching and voice disorders. Conclusions: Private school teachers had higher risks of voice disorders. The results support the causality between occupation and voice disorders in teachers.
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Chen WT, Wang SC, Wang IA, Tsay JH, Chen CY. Suicide attempts and death among heroin-involved women seeking methadone treatment in Taiwan. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 217:108277. [PMID: 32971389 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aims to profile the hazard fluctuation of suicide attempts and deaths among heroin-involved women seeking methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and to investigate sociodemographic and clinical factors predicting the time to have suicidal behaviors. METHODS We identified a retrospective cohort comprising 2780 women receiving methadone treatment in the period of 2012-2016. Healthcare records were obtained from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, and suicide deaths were ascertained from the national death register. Competing risk survival analyses were used to estimate the risk of suicide attempts and deaths within one year and three years of MMT enrollment. RESULTS A total of 1.2 % of MMT-treated women ever visited hospital for suicide attempt, and 0.5 % died by confirmed suicide. The risk of treated suicide attempt reached its peak at the end of the 8th month after methadone initiation, whereas the risk of confirmed suicide death was relatively stable during the first one and a half years. A history of treated depressive disorders appears to be the strongest risk predictor for treated suicide attempts (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 3.45; 95 % CI = 1.66-7.19) and confirmed suicide death (aHR = 3.47; 95 % CI = 1.20-10.0). Retaining in methadone treatment may significantly lower the hazard of probable suicide death by 52 %. CONCLUSIONS Women with heroin use disorders should receive careful attention for suicide risk at intake assessment and over the course of treatment and recovery. Preventive strategies should target unmet clinical and social needs and evaluate gender-specific barriers for treatment engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ting Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Chang Wang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - I-An Wang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Huoy Tsay
- Department of Social Work, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Yu Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Michel M, Alberti C, Carel JC, Chevreul K. Association of Pediatric Inpatient Socioeconomic Status With Hospital Efficiency and Financial Balance. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e1913656. [PMID: 31626320 PMCID: PMC6813670 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In health care systems in which hospital reimbursement is based on a national mean length of stay (LOS), disadvantaged patients with an increased LOS may be a source of inefficiency. This implication has been reported in adult patients, but pediatric data have been scarce. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of patient socioeconomic status with hospital efficiency and financial balance in pediatrics. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study obtained data from the French national hospital discharge database covering a 3-year period, from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014. Statistical analyses were performed between June 2016 and December 2018. All inpatient stays in hospital pediatric wards in mainland France by children older than 28 days or younger than 18 years (n = 4 121 187) were included. Admissions with coding errors or missing values for social disadvantage and/or cost calculations were excluded. EXPOSURE Social disadvantage was estimated with an ecological indicator, the FDep, available at the patient's postcode of residence and divided into national quintiles. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Efficiency was assessed through the variations in patient LOS compared with different national mean LOS (for pediatric patients, pediatric patients with a similar condition, and pediatric patients with a similar condition and severity level). Hospital financial balance was assessed at the admission level through the ratio of production costs to revenues and at the hospital level through the difference between aggregated revenues and production costs. Multivariate regression models examined the association between these indicators and socioeconomic status. RESULTS A total of 4 121 187 admissions were included (2 336 540 [56.7%] male; mean [SD] age, 7.4 [5.8] years). In all, 1 561 219 patients (37.9%) were in the 2 most disadvantaged quintiles. Patient LOS was shorter than the national mean LOS (mean [SD], 1.73 [4.21] days) for patients in the least disadvantaged quintile and longer for those in the more disadvantaged quintile (mean [SD], 1.67 [4.33] days vs 1.82 [4.14] days). This difference was higher for diagnosis related groups that included both adult and pediatric patients (mean [SD], 1.46 [4.22] days vs 1.61 [4.13] days) compared with those dedicated to pediatric patients (2.22 [4.13] days vs 2.12 [4.53] days). Patients in the most disadvantaged quintile were associated with a 3.2% increase in LOS (odds ratio, 1.0322; 95% CI, 1.0302-1.0341) compared with the national mean LOS. Social disadvantage was also associated with a significant increase in financial deficit for hospitals with 20% to 60% of patients in the 2 most disadvantaged quintiles (estimate: -€146 389; 95% CI, -€279 566 to -€13 213). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Patient socioeconomic status appears to be statistically significantly associated with an increase in LOS and cost in French hospitals with pediatric departments. This finding suggests that initiating reform in hospital payment methods may improve resource allocation efficiency and equity in access to pediatric care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Michel
- Unité de Recherche Clinique en Économie de la Santé Eco Ile de France, Hôtel Dieu, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Unité d'Epidémiologie Clinique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Epidémiologie Clinique et Évaluation Économique Appliquées aux Populations Vulnérables (ECEVE), Inserm, Paris, France
- Inserm, Epidémiologie Clinique et Évaluation Économique Appliquées aux Populations Vulnérables (ECEVE), U1123, Paris, France
| | - Corinne Alberti
- Unité d'Epidémiologie Clinique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Epidémiologie Clinique et Évaluation Économique Appliquées aux Populations Vulnérables (ECEVE), Inserm, Paris, France
- Inserm, Epidémiologie Clinique et Évaluation Économique Appliquées aux Populations Vulnérables (ECEVE), U1123, Paris, France
- Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique (CIC) 1426, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Claude Carel
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Endocriniennes Rares de la Croissance, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
- Inserm, NeuroDiderot, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Karine Chevreul
- Unité de Recherche Clinique en Économie de la Santé Eco Ile de France, Hôtel Dieu, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Unité d'Epidémiologie Clinique, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Epidémiologie Clinique et Évaluation Économique Appliquées aux Populations Vulnérables (ECEVE), Inserm, Paris, France
- Inserm, Epidémiologie Clinique et Évaluation Économique Appliquées aux Populations Vulnérables (ECEVE), U1123, Paris, France
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Roussel A, Michel M, Lefevre-Utile A, De Pontual L, Faye A, Chevreul K. Impact of social deprivation on length of stay for common infectious diseases in two French university-affiliated general pediatric departments. Arch Pediatr 2018; 25:359-364. [PMID: 30041884 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adult deprived patients consume more healthcare resources than others, particularly in terms of increased length of stay (LOS) and costs. Very few pediatric studies have focused on LOS, although the effect of deprivation could be greater in children due to the vulnerability of this population. Our objective was to compare LOS between deprived and nondeprived children hospitalized for acute infectious diseases in two university-affiliated pediatric departments located in a low-income area of northern Paris. METHODS We performed a prospective observational multicenter study in two university-affiliated hospitals, Hôpital Robert-Debré and Hôpital Jean-Verdier. All the patients under 15 years of age admitted to the general pediatric department for pneumonia, bronchiolitis, gastroenteritis, or pyelonephritis between 20 October 2016 and 20 March 2017 were included. Deprivation was assessed with an individual questionnaire and score (EPICES). Endpoints included length of stay, costs, and readmission rates at 15 days in each quintile of deprivation. Multivariate regression assessed the association between deprivation and each endpoint. RESULTS A total of 556 patients were included in the study and 540 were analyzed. Sixty percent were boys and the mean age was 9 months±18. Bronchiolitis was the most frequent diagnosis (67.8%). Fifty-six percent of patients were considered to be deprived based on the EPICES questionnaire. Mean LOS was 4.6±3.5 days and we found no significant difference in LOS between the different deprivation quintiles (P=0.83). Multivariate regression did not show an association between LOS and deprivation. CONCLUSION There was no difference between deprived and nondeprived patients in terms of LOS. Deprivation may therefore impact hospitals in other ways such as admission rates. The impact of deprivation during hospitalization for chronic diseases should also be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Roussel
- Service de pédiatrie générale, hôpital Robert-Debré, Assistance publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France; Inserm, ECEVE, U1123, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France.
| | - M Michel
- Inserm, ECEVE, U1123, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France; URC Eco Île-de-France, DRCD, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôtel Dieu, 1, place du Parvis-de-Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris, France
| | - A Lefevre-Utile
- Service de pédiatrie générale, hôpital Robert-Debré, Assistance publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France
| | - L De Pontual
- Service de pédiatrie générale, hôpital Jean-Verdier, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, avenue du 14-Juillet, 93143 Bondy cedex, France
| | - A Faye
- Service de pédiatrie générale, hôpital Robert-Debré, Assistance publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France; Inserm, ECEVE, U1123, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France
| | - K Chevreul
- Inserm, ECEVE, U1123, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 10, boulevard de Verdun, 75010 Paris, France; URC Eco Île-de-France, DRCD, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôtel Dieu, 1, place du Parvis-de-Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris, France
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Fang SY, Huang N, Tsay JH, Chang SH, Chen CY. Excess mortality in children born to opioid-addicted parents: A national register study in Taiwan. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 183:118-126. [PMID: 29247973 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young offspring of individuals with opioid use disorders have great exposure to a wide array of social disadvantages and stressors. This study aimed to investigate excess mortality before the age of six and predictors of premature death in children born to opioid-involved parents. METHODS A total of 3210 children born between 2004 and 2009 to parents with opioid use disorders (roughly a quarter of whom were born after parental methadone treatment enrollment) were identified in Taiwan. Information concerning sociodemographic characteristics, history of medical condition, and survival status was obtained through data linkage with the National Health Insurance Database and death registration. The age-, birth year-, and sex-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and survival analyses were used to assess risk estimates and evaluate predictors. RESULTS The overall SMR for children with opioid-involved parents was 2.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.68-3.10), with the estimate reaching 4.23 (95% CI = 2.37-6.97) when the causes of death were unnatural (e.g., injury and accident). The most salient predictors of premature death were low birth weight and paternal opioid problem severity, which increased risk of premature death 2.5--5.2-fold (all P < 0.05). Being born after parents enrolled in methadone treatment was slightly associated with a reduced risk of death in those mothered by opioid users (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.30). CONCLUSION The elevated risk of premature death in the offspring of opioid-addicted parents suggests the need to prioritize resource allocation to safeguard this marginalized and vulnerable segment of the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-You Fang
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan; Children and Family Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Nicole Huang
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Building II, Rm 210, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan; Institute of Hospital and Healthcare Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Huoy Tsay
- Department of Social Work, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Su-Hui Chang
- Children and Family Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Yu Chen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan; Children and Family Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; Institute of Public Health, Medical Building II, Rm 210, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
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Sarker AR, Sultana M, Mahumud RA, Sheikh N, Van Der Meer R, Morton A. Prevalence and Health Care-Seeking Behavior for Childhood Diarrheal Disease in Bangladesh. Glob Pediatr Health 2016; 3:2333794X16680901. [PMID: 28229092 PMCID: PMC5308522 DOI: 10.1177/2333794x16680901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In Bangladesh, the burden of diarrheal diseases is significant among children <5 years old. The objective of this study is to capture the prevalence of and health care–seeking behavior for childhood diarrheal diseases (CDDs) and to identify the factors associated with CDDs at a population level in Bangladesh. We use a logistic regression approach to model careseeking based on individual characteristics. The overall diarrhea prevalence among children <5 years old was found to be 5.71%. Some factors found to significantly influence the health care–seeking pattern were age and sex of the children, nutritional score, age and education of mothers, wealth index, and access to electronic media. The health care service could be improved through working in partnership with public facilities, private health care practitioners, and community-based organizations, so that all strata of the population get equitable access in cases of childhood diarrhoea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Razzaque Sarker
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh; University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marufa Sultana
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Nurnabi Sheikh
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Hutchings HA, Evans A, Barnes P, Demmler JC, Heaven M, Healy MA, James-Ellison M, Lyons RA, Maddocks A, Paranjothy S, Rodgers SE, Dunstan F. Residential Moving and Preventable Hospitalizations. Pediatrics 2016; 138:peds.2015-2836. [PMID: 27260695 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-2836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between moving home in the first year of life and subsequent emergency admissions for potentially preventable hospitalizations. METHODS We undertook a cohort analysis of linked anonymized data on 237 842 children in the Welsh Electronic Cohort for Children. We included children born in Wales between April 1, 1999 and December 31, 2008. The exposure was the number of residential moves from birth up to 1 year. The main outcome was emergency admissions for potentially preventable hospitalizations (PPH) between the age of 1 and 5 years. RESULTS After adjustment for confounders, we identified that moving home frequently in the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of emergency PPH between the ages of 1 and 5 when compared with not moving. We found significant differences associated with ≥2 moves for the following: ear, nose, and throat infections (incidence risk ratio [IRR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.61); convulsions/epilepsy (IRR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.23-2.04); injuries (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.18-1.51); dehydration/gastroenteritis (IRR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.21-1.88); asthma (IRR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.19-2.16); influenza/pneumonia (IRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32); and dental conditions (IRR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03-1.64) for ≥1 moves. CONCLUSIONS Children who move home in the first year of life are at substantially increased risk of emergency admissions for PPH in early childhood. Additional research that focuses on enhancing health and social support services for highly mobile families, educating parents about safety risks, and improving housing quality is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley A Hutchings
- Patient and Population Health and Informatics Research, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom;
| | - Annette Evans
- Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Barnes
- Abertawe Bromorgannwg University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne C Demmler
- Farr Institute, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, United Kingdom; and
| | - Martin Heaven
- Farr Institute, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, United Kingdom; and
| | - Melanie A Healy
- Farr Institute, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, United Kingdom; and
| | | | - Ronan A Lyons
- Farr Institute, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, United Kingdom; and
| | | | - Shantini Paranjothy
- Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Rodgers
- Farr Institute, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, United Kingdom; and
| | - Frank Dunstan
- Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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11
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Wu YT, Lee HY. National Health Insurance database in Taiwan: A resource or obstacle for health research? Eur J Intern Med 2016; 31:e9-e10. [PMID: 27079475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2016.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tzu Wu
- University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
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12
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Lee YS, Hsu CC, Weng SF, Lin HJ, Wang JJ, Su SB, Huang CC, Guo HR. Cancer Incidence in Physicians: A Taiwan National Population-based Cohort Study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e2079. [PMID: 26632715 PMCID: PMC5058984 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000002079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan since 1982. Physicians have many health-related risk factors which may contribute to cancer, such as rotating night shift, radiation, poor lifestyle, and higher exposure risk to infection and potential carcinogenic drugs. However, the cancer risk in physicians is not clear. In Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 14,889 physicians as the study cohort and randomly selected 29,778 nonmedical staff patients as the comparison cohort for this national population-based cohort study. Cox proportional-hazard regression was used to compare the cancer risk between physicians and comparisons. Physician subgroups were also analyzed. Physicians had a lower all-cancer risk than did the comparisons (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.97). In the sex-based analysis, male physicians had a lower all-cancer risk than did male comparisons (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73-0.94); and female physicians did not (HR 1.29, 95% CI 0.88-1.91). In the cancer-type analysis, male physicians had a higher risk of prostate cancer (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.12-2.65) and female physicians had twice the risk of breast cancer (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.11-3.62) than did comparisons. Cancer risk was not significantly associated with physician specialties. Physicians in Taiwan had a lower all-cancer risk but higher risks for prostate and breast cancer than did the general population. These new epidemiological findings require additional study to clarify possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Sung Lee
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center (Y-SL, C-CH, H-JL, C-CH); Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan (C-CH, H-JL); Department of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung (S-FW); Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei (H-JL); Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center (J-JW); Department of Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Management, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (S-BS); Department of Occupational Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center (S-BS, C-CH); Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying (S-BS); Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University (C-CH, H-RG); Department of Child Care and Education, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (C-CH); Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Chi-Mei Medical Center (C-CH); and Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan (H-RG)
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Konstantyner T, Mais LA, Taddei JAAC. Factors associated with avoidable hospitalisation of children younger than 2 years old: the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey. Int J Equity Health 2015; 14:69. [PMID: 26293988 PMCID: PMC4546099 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-015-0204-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) are conditions for which hospitalisation is thought to be avoidable with the use of effective preventive care and early disease management. The objective of this study was to estimate the rate of avoidable hospitalisations in children younger than 24 months of age participating in a Brazilian national representative survey and to identify the risk factors for such hospitalisations. Methods We analysed data from a cross-sectional study of 1901 children from the 2006 Brazilian National Demographic Health Survey of Women and Children (NDHS). The children’s socioeconomic, biological and maternal characteristics, nutritional status, and access to healthcare were tested; variables with p < 0.20 were selected to fit a Poisson regression. Results The prevalence of avoidable hospitalisation was 11.8 % (95 % Confidence Interval [CI], 9.0, 15.2); the prevalence was higher in the Southeast (40.1 %) and Northwest (21.7 %) macro-regions. The multivariate model identified five risk factors for avoidable hospitalisation: male gender (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 1.48, p = 0.004), low socioeconomic level (PR = 1.51, p = 0.005), children from mothers younger than 20 years of age (PR = 1.41, p = 0.031), not breastfed within the first hour of life (PR = 1.29, p = 0.034), and neonatal hospitalisation (PR = 1.66, p = 0.043). Conclusions To decrease the costs associated with avoidable hospitalisations, health managers and professionals should focus their efforts on providing effective primary healthcare to families of low socioeconomic levels, particularly prenatal and paediatric care, as well as encouraging breastfeeding and supporting young mothers. Strategies to improve children’s health by controlling such hospitalisations in Brazil should consider all residence areas and geopolitical macro-regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulio Konstantyner
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Santo Amaro (UNISA), Sao Paulo, Brazil. .,Department of Paediatrics, Discipline of Nutrology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Loefgreen, 1647, CEP: 04040-032, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Laís Amaral Mais
- Department of Paediatrics, Discipline of Nutrology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Loefgreen, 1647, CEP: 04040-032, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - José A A C Taddei
- Department of Paediatrics, Discipline of Nutrology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Loefgreen, 1647, CEP: 04040-032, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization among infants of mothers in the national methadone maintenance treatment program in Taiwan. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 153:86-93. [PMID: 26096537 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children of heroin-using women have a higher risk of unfavorable health and developmental outcomes. Although methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been widely used to treat heroin-using pregnant women, potential effects on accessibility and utilization of healthcare service for their offspring are less explored. METHODS We used four national registry and health insurance datasets in Taiwan from 2004 to 2009 to form a population-based matched retrospective cohort study. A total of 1056 neonates born to women in the MMT program (857 born before mother's enrollment in the MMT program [BM], 199 born after mother's enrollment in the MMT program [AM]) was established; 10547 matched non-drug [ND] exposed neonates were identified for comparison. Outcome variables included offspring's health insurance coverage and utilization of preventive, outpatient, and emergency room cares in the first year after birth. RESULTS Infants born to mothers on MMT were more likely to have no or incomplete insurance coverage (BM: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.29, 95% CI: 1.10-1.53; AM: aOR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.14-2.13) as compared with the socioeconomic status-matched ND group. The BM infants appeared to have fewer preventive care visits (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), whereas the AM infants utilized outpatient and emergency room services more frequently (outpatient: aRR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23; emergency: aRR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.11-1.90). CONCLUSIONS Addiction treatment and harm reduction programs for women of childbearing ages should be delivered in the coordinated framework that ensures comprehensiveness and continuity in healthcare and social services.
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Role of Pediatricians in the Ambulatory Care of Children in Taiwan, 1999-2011. Pediatr Neonatol 2015; 56:226-34. [PMID: 25534697 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2014.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatricians are physicians trained to provide comprehensive nonsurgical health care for children, but parents may consult other specialists when seeking medical help for their children. This study was designed to analyze the role of pediatricians and the changes in the patterns of ambulatory visits among different specialties for children under the age of 18 years in Taiwan during the past 13 years. METHODS Data on ambulatory visits of children aged 0-17 years from 1999 to 2011 were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The physician's specialty, level of the hospital, year of visit, age of the patient, and diagnoses of each ambulatory visit were analyzed. Four of the most commonly visited specialties-pediatrics, otolaryngology, family medicine, and internal medicine-were compared. The yearly trend of ambulatory visits to different specialties, difference in various age groups, influence of hospital levels, and the top 10 diagnoses were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 1,618,033 ambulatory visits were identified and enrolled into our study. A comparison of the proportions of ambulatory visits between 1999-2003 and 2007-2011 showed that the proportions of visits increased from 27.1 ± 1.3% to 35.4 ± 1.0% for pediatricians, decreased from 32.8 ± 1.8% to 17.0 ± 0.8% for family physicians, and did not change for otolaryngologists and internal medicine physicians. Specifically, pediatricians were visited more often if the children were younger, or if the health-care facility (level of hospital) was either a medical center or a regional hospital. Upper respiratory tract infection was the top diagnosis, followed by acute bronchitis, and acute and chronic tonsillitis. CONCLUSIONS The role of pediatricians in children's ambulatory care increased in importance from 1999 to 2011 in Taiwan. However, approximately two thirds of children sought ambulatory medical help from nonpediatric physicians. Thus, it is important to educate and encourage parents to visit pediatricians if their children require medical help.
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Fang SY, Wang S, Huang N, Yeh HH, Chen CY. Prenatal Infection and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Childhood: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Taiwan. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2015; 29:307-16. [PMID: 25989831 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection in pregnancy has long been linked with negative postnatal development and health. This study aims to assess the association between prenatal infections and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) across three trimesters and to probe possible sex heterogeneity in such link. METHOD A total of 4184 children with incident ASDs and 16,734 matched children were identified from the 2000-2007 National Health Insurance Research Database. For each child, information pertaining to the mother's infection during pregnancy, sociodemographics, and medical history was retrieved from healthcare records. Conditional logistic analyses were carried out to estimate the strength of associations with adjustment for multiple comparisons. RESULT Pooled analyses demonstrated that having two or more outpatient visits for genital infection [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.34; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.12, 1.60; false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.01] and bacterial infection (aOR: 1.24; 95% CI 1.06, 1.43; FDR < 0.05) in the third trimester were slightly associated with increased risk of ASDs. No statistically significant sex differences were found. CONCLUSION The present study contributes updated population-based evidence about the connection between prenatal infection and ASDs. Potential effect of bacterial and genital tract infections during the third trimester on risk of ASDs warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-You Fang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center of Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Sabrina Wang
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nicole Huang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Han Yeh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, MI
| | - Chuan-Yu Chen
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center of Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
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Shen HN, Lin WT, Lu CL, Li CY. Older male physicians have lower risk of trochanteric but not cervical hip fractures. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:2249-61. [PMID: 25689999 PMCID: PMC4344723 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120202249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Osteoporosis is pathophysiologically related to trochanteric fractures, and this condition is more preventable by lifestyle modifications than cervical fractures. We investigated whether older physicians, who are health-conscious people, are at a lower risk of hip fractures because of fewer trochanteric fractures. Methods: Data regarding older (≥65 years) physicians (n= 4303) and matched non-medical persons (control) were retrieved from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance claims. All of the subjects were obtained from NHIRD with index dates from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2008. Cox proportional hazard and competing risk regression models were established to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of hip fracture associated with older physicians. Results: The incidence rates of trochanteric fractures were lower in older physicians than in controls (1.73 and 3.07 per 1000 person-years, respectively), whereas the rates of cervical fractures were similar between the two groups (2.45 and 2.12 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Older physicians yielded 46% lower hazard of trochanteric fractures than controls (adjusted HR 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.37–0.79); by contrast, hazards of cervical fractures were comparable between the two groups. The HRs estimated from the competing risk models remained unchanged. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that health risk awareness may pose a significant preventive effect on trochanteric hip fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Nien Shen
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, No. 901 Chung-Hwa Road, Yong-Kang district, Tainan 71004, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Ting Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, Chi Mei Medical Center, No. 901 Chung-Hwa Road, Yong-Kang District, Tainan 71004, Taiwan.
| | - Chin-Li Lu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, No. 539 Zhongxiao East Rd., East district, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan.
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Do physicians have lower risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality? A matched cohort study*. Crit Care Med 2014; 42:816-23. [PMID: 24231761 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Physicians generally have higher disease awareness and easier access to medical care, which may help them reduce risk of developing severe sepsis and associated mortality when they suffer from acute infection. However, the opposite situation may occur due to the presence of potential barriers to healthcare in physicians. We aim to examine the risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality in physicians. DESIGN A matched cohort study. SETTING Registry of medical professionals and inpatient and outpatient claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. SUBJECTS Physicians (n = 29,697) in Taiwan and a group of persons who were demographically and socioeconomically matched (1:1 ratio) and without any medical education and background. All subjects were followed from the index date (January 1, 2000) to the occurrence of endpoint, withdrawal, or December 31, 2008, whichever date came first. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Primary outcome was development of severe sepsis. Secondary outcome was 90-day mortality following severe sepsis. The overall incidence density of severe sepsis was lower in physicians than in controls (3.25 vs 3.90 per 1,000 person-years, p < 0.001). According to the Cox regression model, severe sepsis develops in physicians 24% less likely than controls after baseline covariates were adjusted (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68-0.85). The 90-day mortality rates were similar between physicians and controls with severe sepsis (46.5% vs 45.7%, p = 0.72). However, after controlling for the baseline and additional covariates, the risk of death was significantly lower in physicians than in controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.95). CONCLUSIONS These findings support the hypothesis that physicians are less likely than controls to develop or die of severe sepsis, implying that medical knowledge, higher disease awareness, and easier healthcare access in physicians may help reduce their risk of severe sepsis and associated mortality.
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Chen CY, Yeh HH, Huang N, Lin YC. Socioeconomic and clinical characteristics associated with repeat suicide attempts among young people. J Adolesc Health 2014; 54:550-7. [PMID: 24332393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2013] [Revised: 10/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Repeat suicidal behaviors in young people are a critical public health concern. The study investigates individual socioeconomic and episode-dependent clinical factors predicting repeat suicide attempts among youth by gender. METHODS Using a retrospective cohort study, we identified a total of 4,094 male and 3,219 female youths who had the index suicide episode at the ages of 15-24 years from the 1996-2007 National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. The recurrence of suicide attempt was assessed within 1 year after the index suicide. Information pertaining to suicide management and postsuicide treatment was obtained from healthcare records. Repeated event survival analyses were used to estimate episode-dependent risk of suicide attempt. RESULTS The occurrence of repeat suicide attempts was more common in males, yet the phenomenon of risk aggravation appears more prominent in females. The estimate for peak hazard of the second repeat attempt was 2-fold higher than that of the first repeat event in males, and approximately 6-fold in females. Socioeconomic (e.g., labor market participation: adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01-1.28) and index suicide management characteristics (e.g., receiving treatment at clinic, aHR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.19-1.99) were found to play important roles for repeat suicide attempts in males. For females, postsuicide treatment of mental disorders appears more influential. CONCLUSIONS The relationships between socioeconomic and clinical factors with repeat suicide attempts in young people vary by gender. School/workplace-based post suicide attempt consultation and clinical management for youth may be planned and delivered on a gender-appropriate basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan-Yu Chen
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Hsueh-Han Yeh
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Nicole Huang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Chen Lin
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Jeng MJ, Lee YS, Tsao PC, Yang CF, Luo YC, Soong WJ. A 10-year population-based nationwide descriptive analysis of pediatric emergency care. BMC Pediatr 2014; 14:100. [PMID: 24720913 PMCID: PMC3989785 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2431-14-100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric emergency care medicine is an important field of health care. This study aimed to investigate the 10-year pediatric emergency care in children aged 0-17 years old in Taiwan. METHODS Systematic random samples from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan in the period 2000-2009 were analyzed. Children recorded as undergoing emergency care were enrolled and divided into different age groups. The frequency of emergency visits, age, cost per visit, seasonality, number of hospitalizations, and diagnosis were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 764,598 children were enrolled. These children accounted for 25% of all emergency cases and their mean age was 6.1 years. Children aged 0-5 years formed the largest group, with male predominance (57.5%). The incidence of emergency visits was 29133 ± 3104 per 100,000 children per year (mean ± SD). Acute upper airway infection, fever, and acute gastrointestinal illness were the most common diagnoses among all non-hospitalized children. Some (4.51%) required subsequent hospitalization and their most common diagnoses were fluid/electrolyte disorder, upper/lower airway infection, and acute gastrointestinal illness. The group of children aged 12-17 years had cases of traumatic injury and childbirth. CONCLUSIONS In Taiwan, 25% of individuals seeking emergency care are children, mostly aged 0-5 years old. Costs and disease patterns vary among different age groups. Preventive measures targeting all children should focus on respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, but should target different diseases for different age groups to improve child health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Jy Jeng
- Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Chen LC, Lee YY, Lin TH, Lee CS, Li CJ, Wu DC. How Does Out-of-Pocket Payment Affect Choices When Accessing Health Care?-A Qualitative Study on Hypertensive Outpatients in Southern Taiwan. Value Health Reg Issues 2012; 1:105-110. [PMID: 29702816 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2012.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The National Health Insurance in Taiwan provides the entire population with universal coverage and full freedom to access health care, and thus results in accelerating medical utilization and costs. A differential outpatient co-payment was introduced on July 15, 2005, to deter nonessential visits and encourage initial contact in primary care and a stepwise access to health care (referral system). A previous study, however, showed a limited impact of this co-payment policy on reducing medical utilization and improving the referral system. This qualitative study aimed to explore Taiwanese patients' decision-making process to access health care and how the cost issue impacts patients' access to health care and explore patients' cost-saving strategies. METHODS Hypertensive patients from different tiers of medical facilities (community, regional hospitals, and medical centers) in the Kao-Ping area of southern Taiwan were invited to participate in focus groups from October 2008 to January 2009. RESULTS Of all, 40 participants were recruited for nine focus groups. The physicians' reputation, tiers of hospitals, and the convenience of transport and registration are the three major reasons why participants accessed different medical facilities. Participants expressed that the current out-of-pocket payment is affordable and not as important as other reasons for their choices. Continuous prescription was considered a cost-saving strategy for patients visiting higher tiers of medical facilities. Most participants were not fully aware of current National Health Insurance regulations such as co-payment, continuous prescriptions, and the referral policy. CONCLUSIONS The current out-of-pocket payment is affordable for hypertensive patients receiving regular treatments, but it fails to reduce the demand of health care. To establish a proper evaluation of the co-payment policy, future study is suggested to consider the views from health care providers and financially vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chia Chen
- Division for Social Research in Medicines and Health, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Yung-Ying Lee
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Hsien Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chee-Siong Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chuen-Jing Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Deng-Chyang Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
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Mainous AG, Diaz VA, Everett CJ, Knoll ME. Impact of insurance and hospital ownership on hospital length of stay among patients with ambulatory care-sensitive conditions. Ann Fam Med 2011; 9:489-95. [PMID: 22084259 PMCID: PMC3252189 DOI: 10.1370/afm.1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Some studies suggest proprietary (for-profit) hospitals are maximizing financial margins from patient care by limiting therapies or decreasing length of stay for uninsured patients. This study examines the role of insurance related to length of stay once the patient is in the hospital and risk for mortality, particularly in a for-profit environment. METHODS We undertook an analysis of hospitalizations in the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) of the 5-year period of 2003 to 2007 for patients aged 18 to 64 years (unweighted n = 849,866; weighted n = 90 million). The analysis included those who were hospitalized with both ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs), hospitalizations considered to be preventable, and non-ACSCs. We analyzed the transformed mean length of stay between individuals who had Medicaid or all other insurance types while hospitalized and those who were hospitalized without insurance. This analysis was stratified by hospital ownership. We also examined the relationship between in-hospital mortality and insurance status. RESULTS After controlling for comorbidities; age, sex, and race/ethnicity; and hospitalizations with either an ACSC or non-ACSC diagnosis, patients without insurance tended to have a significantly shorter length of stay. Across all hospital types, the mean length of stay for ACSCs was significantly shorter for individuals without insurance (2.77 days) than for those with either private insurance (2.89 days, P = .04) or Medicaid (3.19, P <.01). Among hospitalizations for ACSCs, in-hospital mortality rate for individuals with either private insurance or Medicaid was not significantly different from the mortality rate for those without insurance. CONCLUSIONS Patients without insurance have shorter lengths of stay for both ACSCs and non-ACSCs. Future research should examine whether patients without insurance are being discharged prematurely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arch G Mainous
- Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425, USA.
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