Stacey, Ingrid and Katzenellenbogen, Judith and Hung, Joseph and Seth, Rebecca and Francia, Carl and MacDonald, Bradley and Marangou, James and Murray, Kevin and Cannon, Jeffrey (2024) Pattern of hospital admissions and costs associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia, 2012–2017. Australian Health Review, 49 (1). ISSN 0156-5788
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Objective This study aims to describe the pattern and trends in acute rheumatic fever (ARF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD)-related hospitalisations and costs for Australians aged <65 years. Methods This retrospective linked data study measured trends in hospitalisations and costs for ARF, RHD and complications of ARF/RHD in Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2017. Persons with ARF/RHD were identified from RHD registers and/or hospital records. Results Over the 5-year study period, 791 children, aged <16 years (86.3% Indigenous), and 2761 adults, aged 16–64 years (44.8% Indigenous), were hospitalised for ARF, RHD or associated complications. On average there were 296 paediatric admissions per year, increasing 6.1% annually (95% CI: 2.4–9.6%, P = 0.001) and 1442 adult admissions per year, increasing 1.7% annually (95% CI: 0.1–3.4%, P = 0.03). Total 5-year costs were AU$130.6 m (AU$17.6 m paediatric, AU$113.0 m adult). Paediatric costs were mostly for ARF-related admissions whereas adult costs mostly involved valvular surgery. Emergency admissions and air ambulance transfers were common, particularly for non-metropolitan residents. Conclusions Successful ARF/RHD prevention would deliver significant hospital cost savings. Investment in primary and specialist health care in regional areas may reduce emergency admissions and regional transfers, further reducing hospital burden.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| Depositing User: | Repository Administrator |
| Date Deposited: | 02 May 2025 05:11 |
| Last Modified: | 02 May 2025 05:11 |
| URI: | https://eprints.victorchang.edu.au/id/eprint/1642 |
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