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Constipation-Related Health Care Utilization in Children Before and After Hospitalization for Constipation
John R Stephens1, Michael J Steiner1, Neal DeJong1
11 University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Insights
Pediatric constipation care increased after hospital admission, with higher outpatient visits and significant hospitalization costs. One inpatient stay cost 50 times more than a year of outpatient care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Gastroenterology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Constipation is a common pediatric issue requiring significant healthcare resources.
- Understanding healthcare utilization patterns before and after inpatient admission is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in healthcare utilization and spending for pediatric constipation.
- To compare outpatient and inpatient costs associated with pediatric constipation admissions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of the Truven Marketscan Database (2010-2011) for pediatric constipation admissions.
- Examined outpatient visits and spending 12 months pre- and post-index hospitalization.
- Assessed inpatient costs and 12-month rehospitalization rates.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in the median number of outpatient constipation visits post-admission (1 to 2, P=.001).
- Median outpatient spending saw a slight, non-significant increase ($110 to $132, P=.2).
- Median index hospitalization cost was $5295, with 10% of children rehospitalized within 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric constipation admissions are associated with increased outpatient healthcare utilization.
- Inpatient constipation admissions represent a substantial financial burden, costing 50 times more than 12 months of outpatient care.
- Findings highlight the economic impact of pediatric constipation and the need for effective management strategies.
Abstract:
We studied constipation-related health care among children before and after constipation admission. Index admissions for constipation in 2010-2011 were identified in the Truven Marketscan Database, which includes children receiving Medicaid in 10 states. We measured number of and spending for outpatient constipation visits 12 months before and after index hospitalizations. We also measured spending for constipation hospitalizations and rehospitalization rate. There were 780 index constipation admissions. The median number of outpatient constipation visits was 1 (interquartile range [IQR] = 0, 3) in the 12 months before and 2 (IQR [0, 4]) after admission ( P = .001). Median outpatient spending for constipation was $110 (IQR [0, 429]) before and $132 (IQR [0, 431]) after admission ( P = .2). Median spending for index constipation admissions was $5295 (IQR [2756, 8267]); 78 children (10%) were rehospitalized for constipation within 12 months. Constipation-related health care utilization increased after constipation admission. Median spending for one constipation admission was 50 times the median spending for 12 months of outpatient constipation visits.
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