scholarly journals Characteristics of heart failure patients incurring high medical costs via matching specific health examination results and medical claim data: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e031422
Author(s):  
Yuya Tamaki ◽  
Kana Kazawa ◽  
Hirohito Watanabe ◽  
Tantut Susanto ◽  
Michiko Moriyama

ObjectiveWe describe the characteristics of patients with high medical costs by matching specific annual medical examination results and medical claim data. Clarifying the relationships between examination items and high medical costs allows the screening of high-risk persons.DesignA cross-sectional study.SubjectsSubjects were persons insured by national health insurance in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, from April 2016 to March 2017. To identify true heart failure (HF) patients, the disease name listed in the medical claim data was compared with drugs prescribed for HF, with extraction of only subjects whose comparative data matched.Data collection and analysisThe specific health examination includes a questionnaire on areas such as lifestyle habits, anthropometry, blood pressure, blood tests and urine tests. The percentage of the total medical costs related to the medical care of subjects with HF was described using Pareto analysis. For specific health examination items, we compared the high-cost and low-cost groups. The normality and homoscedasticity of each variable was checked and Student’s t-tests and χ² tests were applied. Finally, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect factors in the health examination items related to high medical costs.ResultsPareto analysis showed that 80% of all medical costs were paid by 30% of the HF patient population. The fees for cardiovascular surgery accounted for 54% of the total surgical cost, 64% of which included preventable diseases. Levels of creatinine (Cr) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) and a history of smoking were found to be related to high medical costs.ConclusionAnalysis of specific health examination results for HF patients revealed the association between high medical costs, γ-GTP, Cr, and smoking. These results can thus serve as a reference for screening persons at high risk of HF and help prevent the exacerbation of HF.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuling Chen ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
Shu Li ◽  
Zhou Xu ◽  
Shen Tian ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMetabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new definition for liver disease associated with known metabolic dysfunction. Based on new diagnostic criteria, we aim to investigate its prevalence and risk factors in Chinese.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was implemented on 139170 subjects who participated in health examination.Results Among 139170 subjects, prevalence of MAFLD was 26.1% (males: 35.4%; females: 14.1%), and it was significantly higher before 65-year-old in males than that in females (36.2% vs. 12.2%, P<0.001), however significantly lower after 65 (28.2% vs. 33.0%, P<0.001). The prevalence in different female menopausal status (premenopause, perimenopause, postmenopause) was 6.1%,16.8%, and 30.2%, in BMI groups (underweight, normal, overweight and obese), it was 0.1%, 4.0%, 27.4% and 59.8%. Proportions of abnormal metabolic features in MAFLD group were significantly higher than those in non-MAFLD group, so as the proportion of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (42.5% vs. 11%, P<0.001). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia in MAFLD group (53.2%, 80.0%, and 45.0%) was significantly higher than that in non-MAFLD group (10.1%, 41.7%, and 16.8%). Logistic regression revealed that age, BMI, waist circumference, ALT, triglyceride, fasting glucose, uric acid and platelet count were associated with MAFLD.ConclusionsMAFLD is prevalent in China, its prevalence varies among different groups of age, gender, BMI, and female menopausal status. MAFLD was related to metabolic disorders especially obesity. People with MAFLD suffer high prevalence of MS, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and elevated liver enzymes. Metabolic disorders should be paid attention to improve management of MAFLD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengyan Cheng ◽  
Ping Shuai ◽  
Qichuan Qiao ◽  
Tingxin Li

Abstract Background In China, many people are apt to participate in regular physical examination as a precaution. Some simplified food frequency questionnaire have been designed and used. However, the effectiveness of questionnaire is absent. This study was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of simplified food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) used among physical examination adults in southwest region of China. Methods This study was a cross sectional study among physical health examination adults in Southwest region of China. A total of 239 participants aged 20-65 were conducted during February to June in 2019. The performance of the SFFQ was evaluated by the mean of three-day 24-hour dietary recalls (3R24). The relative validity and agreement was assessed by the Pearson`s correlation and intra-class correlation coefficients(ICC) respectively. Results The median energy-adjusted ICC of food groups between SFFQ2 and SFFQ1 was 0.59 (range: 0.49-0.73) and the ICC of nutrients was 0.47(range: 0.39-0.76). The Pearson correlation showed the validity between the SFFQ1 and 3R24, which ranged from -0.086 to 0.93 for food and and 0.21 to 0.71 for nutritions, respectively. Energy-adjustment slightly increased the correlation coefficients. Conclusions The reliability and validity of the SFFQ was acceptable. It could be an appropriate dietary assessment tool for future epidemiological studies in physical health examination adults among Chinese in southwest China.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Hyuk Jung ◽  
Byoung Jin Park ◽  
Yong-Jae Lee

Abstract Background: Leukoaraiosis refers to lesions of high signal intensity in the periventricular and subcortical white matter that result from chronic microvascular ischemic damage to the brain. Increasing evidence suggests that the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is associated with arterial stiffness and cardiovascular disease, which are both closely related to ischemic arterial damage. We hypothesized that the serum TyG index could be associated with cerebrovascular microangiopathy as measured by leukoaraiosis among middle-aged and older adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2,162 Korean adults aged ≥45 years who participated in a health examination program between 2010 and 2011. TyG index was calculated as Ln (fasting triglycerides (mg/dl) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dl)/2). TyG index quartiles were categorized as follows: Q1, ≤8.12; Q2, 8.13-8.50 Q2, 8.51-8.89; and Q4, ≥8.90. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for leukoaraiosis based on brain MRI scans were calculated across TyG index quartiles using multiple logistic regression analysis.Results: The overall prevalence of leukoaraiosis was 5.4% and increased with serum TyG index quartiles. Compared to the lowest quartile, the ORs (95% CIs) of the highest TyG index quartile for leukoaraiosis was 2.37 (1.17-4.79) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, regular exercise, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol levels, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.Conclusions: The serum TyG index was positively and independently associated with leukoaraiosis. Our findings indicate that the TyG index might be a useful additional measure for assessing cerebrovascular microangiopathy in clinical settings.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboubeh Dadfar ◽  
Siyamak Sanadgol

Abstract BackgroundNowadays, COVID-19 constitutes a significant portion of the global burden of the diseases. Self-efficacy beliefs in disease management refer to individuals' confidence and certainty in their ability to successfully perform specific health-related behaviors. The aims of the study were: (i) to develop the COVID-19 Self-Efficacy Scale (COVID-19SES), and (ii) to investigate the impact of self-efficacy on COVID-19.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of 66 medical students was recruited. The COVID-19SES was administered to the students.ResultsOnly 9 students (13.6%) chose statement 1 of the COVID-19SES, indicating a lack of knowledge and low self-efficacy; 9 students (22.73%) chose statements 3 and 4, indicating adequate knowledge but low self-efficacy. Of the students, 42 (63.6%) endorsed the statement 5, indicating adequate knowledge and high self-efficacy. Only 9 students (13.6%) chose statement 1 of the COVID-19SES, indicating a lack of knowledge and low self-efficacy; 9 students (22.73%) chose statements 3 and 4, indicating adequate knowledge but low self-efficacy. Of the students, 42 (63.6%) endorsed the statement 5, indicating adequate knowledge and high self-efficacy. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for the usefulness of the COVID-19SES for assessing self-efficacy in students. Twenty-four students (36.4%) reported low COVID-19 self-efficacy, and education is necessary to promote self-efficacy in health-related matters during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengyan Cheng ◽  
Ping Shuai ◽  
Qichuan Qiao ◽  
Tingxin Li

Abstract Background: In China, many people are apt to participate in regular physical examination as a prevention. Some simplified food frequency questionnaire have been designed and used. However, the accuracy of questionnaire is absent. This study was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of simplified food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) used among physical examination adults in southwest region of China.Methods: This study was a cross sectional study among physical health examination adults in Southwest region of China. A total of 239 participants aged 20-65 were conducted during February to June in 2019. The performance of the SFFQ was evaluated by the mean of three-day 24-hour dietary record (3R24). The relative validity and agreement was assessed by the Pearson`s correlation and intra-class correlation coefficients(ICC) respectively. Results: The median energy-adjusted ICC of food groups between SFFQ2 and SFFQ1 was 0.59 (range: 0.49-0.73) and the ICC of nutrients was 0.47(range: 0.39-0.76). The Pearson correlation showed the validity between the SFFQ1 and 3R24, which ranged from -0.086 to 0.93 for food and and 0.21 to 0.71 for nutritions, respectively. Energy-adjustment slightly increased the correlation coefficients.Conclusions: The reliability and validity of the SFFQ was acceptable. It could be an appropriate dietary assessment tool for future epidemiological studies among physical health examination adults in southwest China.Trial registration:CHiCTR, ChiCTR1900020934, Registered 22 January 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=35414&htm=4.


2021 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 38-46
Author(s):  
Thi Thuy Pham ◽  
Khac Luong V ◽  
Duc Nguyen ◽  
Quoc Tran Dau ◽  
Nhu Thao Tran

Objectives: A periodic health examination helps people to evaluate the overall health status, so it is of the utmost importance to each individual, including employees. At Saigon Newport Corporation, employees have to do strenuous, hazardous, and dangerous works, so periodic health examination is necessary. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 436 employees to measure their perception of the periodic health examination service quality via the SERVPERF scale and associated factors at the New Port Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, 2020. Results: Research results indicated that 78% of employees have a good assessment of the quality of periodic health examination, in which reliability was 79.6%, assurance was 79.8%, which were also the least. Conclusions: Gender, level of education, and sector of employment were related to the employees’ perception of the periodic health examination service. Keywords: Periodic health examination, employee, SERVPERF, New Port Medical Center, Saigon Newport Corporation.


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