Inpatient resource utilisation in younger (2-5 yrs) and older (6-14 yrs) asthmatic children in Finland

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Asthma is the most common chronic condition in Finnish children.
• The economic impact of pediatric asthma in Finland remains unevaluated.
• Understanding resource utilization is crucial for healthcare management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare inpatient resource utilization between younger (2-5 years) and older (6-14 years) children with asthma in Finland.
• To estimate the total annual inpatient cost of pediatric asthma in Finland.
• To identify age-related differences in asthma-related hospitalizations and costs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a national database of inpatient resource utilization for Finnish children with asthma in 1999.
• Combined regional cost estimates with hospitalization data to calculate total inpatient costs.
• Analyzed incidence of first admissions, hospitalization rates, and rehospitalization rates by age group.

Main Results:

• Younger asthmatic children (2-5 yrs) consumed 3 times more inpatient resources per capita compared to older children (6-14 yrs).
• The incidence of first asthma admissions was 3 times higher in younger children, with hospitalization and rehospitalization rates 3 and 4 times higher, respectively.
• The total annual inpatient cost for pediatric asthma was €1.98 million, with younger children accounting for €1.12 million and older children for €0.86 million.

Conclusions:

• Younger children with asthma place a significantly higher burden on inpatient resources and incur greater costs in Finland.
• Age-related disparities in hospitalizations and costs may stem from variations in primary care practices, diagnostic challenges, and compliance issues in younger children.
• Further research into primary care interventions and management strategies for young asthmatic children is warranted to mitigate economic impact.