Pediatric asthma and medical resources utilization

• Main Authors: Chih-Chiang Tai, 戴志江
• Other Authors: Ying-Chun Li
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/kn98e8

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 醫務管理研究所 === 96 === Background Children with asthma usually use more medical resources than those without asthma. However, studies on the relationship between ratios of asthma-related complications and consumption of medical resources are rare. Methods We sampled data from “Registry for beneficiaries” of “National Health Insurance Research Database”, National Health Insurance Institute, 2004. The target group was patients, aged between 1 and 18 years old, whose main diagnosis number from outpatient department (ICD-9-CM) is 493. Ratios of asthma-related complications and consumption of medical costs and resources were submitted to statistical analysis. Results Data of 394197 outpatients, of whom 62.5% are males, were included. Among the entire sample, 7627 children have asthma. Children with asthma are 8.2 times likely to get allergic rhinitis than those without asthma. Children with asthma are 2.1 times likely to get atopic dermatitis, 1.3 times likely to get otitis media, 1.5 times likely to get sinusitis than those without asthma. With regard to average expenditure on medical treatment, that of children with asthma is higher than that of children without asthma. Expenditures on medical treatment are compared among four divided groups. Children without asthma or complications ( NT$ 3714 ± 24538 ) , Children without asthma having complications ( NT$ 6448 ± 8880 ) , children with asthma not having complications ( NT$ 7396 ± 6434 ) , children with asthma having complications ( NT$ 12708 ± 10585 ) . Results of expenditures on medical treatment among these four divided groups show statistically significant. Seventy % of medical resources utilized are pediatrics, 40% are clinics, 50% are in the northern area. Conclusion Ratio of comorbidities of children with asthma is obviously higher than that of children without asthma. With regard to medical costs, that of children with asthma having comorbidities is higher than that of children with asthma not having comorbidities. Therefore, local pediatricians have an important role in the care of children with asthma.