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Asthma hospital admission and mortality in mainland Portugal 2000-2007
A Bugalho de Almeida1, A Covas, L Prates
1Lisbon University School of Medicine/Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria Pulmonology Clinic.
Insights
Asthma hospital admissions in Portugal remained high between 2000-2007, with many patients under 19. The National Asthma Control Programme did not achieve its 20% reduction goal for pediatric asthma admissions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Asthma remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Effective asthma management programs are crucial for reducing hospitalizations and healthcare costs.
- The National Asthma Control Programme in Portugal aimed to reduce pediatric asthma admissions by 20% by 2007.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the achievement of the National Asthma Control Programme's goal regarding pediatric asthma admissions.
- To analyze trends in asthma hospital admissions, patient demographics, and mortality in Portugal from 2000-2007.
- To estimate the financial burden of asthma hospitalizations in Portugal.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of asthma hospital admissions data from mainland Portugal (2000-2007).
- Utilized the Health Services Central Administration database, analyzing 24,271 admissions.
- Calculated admission rates, hospital stay durations, mortality rates, and associated costs.
Main Results:
- 48.7% of admitted patients were under 19 years old; 61.8% were 40 or younger.
- The goal of a 20% reduction in pediatric asthma admissions was not met.
- Mean annual asthma hospital admission rate was 30.79 per 100,000 inhabitants, with an estimated annual cost exceeding €117.5 million.
Conclusions:
- Asthma control remains insufficient for many Portuguese patients, indicating a need for improved disease management.
- Enhanced asthma management strategies are essential for improving patient quality of life and reducing significant healthcare expenditures.
- The findings highlight the substantial economic impact of asthma in Portugal and the need for targeted interventions.
Abstract:
We conducted a review of asthma hospital admissions in mainland Portugal 2000-2007 to evaluate if one of the aims of the National Asthma Control Programme, a 20% reduction in hospital admissions in children and adolescents in 2007, had been achieved. Using the Health Services Central Administration data base we reviewed 24271 admissions and saw that 48.7% of patients admitted were aged under 19 years old and that 61.8% were aged 40 years old or under. Mean global annual asthma hospital admission rate was 30.79 per 100,000 inhabitants. Mean global hospital stay was 5.94 days, range 2.93 - 9.73 days, depending on the age group. We saw a drop in admission in both the northern and the Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions over the 8 year period. 189 patients died, 25 of who were aged 40 years old or under. The mortality rate ranged from 0.162 in 2002 to 0.324 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2005, with a mean patient death of 0.77 patients per 100 admissions. Mean annual costs were in excess of euro3.3 million, meaning an estimated annual financial asthma burden of around euro117.5 million in Portugal. We concluded that many asthma sufferers in Portugal do have sufficient disease controlled. Improved management would equal better quality of life and reduced disease costs.
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