Cystic Fibrosis Patient Characteristics and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Finland Using Linked Registries

Overview

Journal Heliyon

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2024 Jul 23

PMID 39040318

Authors

Kirsi Malmivaara

Mari Polkki

Tuire Prami

Paavo Raittinen

Eija Heikkila

Antti Aalto

Teija Dunder

Varpu Elenius

Kristina Sandstrom

Lisa J McGarry

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of prevalence and epidemiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthcare resource use among Finnish people with CF is incomplete.

Methods: We conducted a population-based matched cohort study using retrospective real-world data from linked Finnish national registries. Electronic healthcare data and drug purchases of 102 people with CF were analyzed between January 2015 and December 2019 (follow-up). A 5-fold control population was matched by sex, age, and place of residence. Comorbidities and medication use that occurred at any time during follow-up were assessed; annual rates of hospital service use were adjusted for follow-up.

Results: The prevalence of CF in Finland was 1.85 per 100,000. Median age at diagnosis was 1 year, with 60 % diagnosed at age <2 years and 80 % at age <10 years. Median age at death in people with CF was 31.4 years (n < 5); no controls died. The most common comorbidities included chronic sinusitis (39.2 %), pneumonia (38.2 %), diabetes (20.6 %), and nasal polyps (18.6 %). The most purchased medications were antibiotics (99.0 %) and pancreatic enzymes (84.3 %). The annualized rate of hospital visits was higher in people with CF vs controls (outpatient: mean [SD], 17.4 [14.5] vs 0.9 [3.3]; median, 13.6 vs 0.4, respectively; inpatient: mean [SD], 1.0 [1.66] vs 0.03 [0.14]; median, 0.34 vs 0, respectively).

Conclusions: The prevalence of CF in Finland is remarkably low, likely reflecting unique population characteristics and, in part, delayed diagnosis. Antibiotic use is frequent among Finnish people with CF. Inpatient hospital visits are >30 times higher in people with CF than matched controls.

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