Australian medical patents granted in the United States in 1984-1999

OBJECTIVE: To describe all medical patents granted in the United States to Australian-resident inventors between 1984 and 1999. DATA SOURCES: All patent data originated from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Data for 1984-1994 were compiled by CHI Research Inc, and data for 1995-1999 were obtained from the Community of Science website. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of medical patents granted in the US to Australian-resident inventors; assignees (owners) of these medical patents; proportion of these medical patents related to biotechnology. RESULTS: From 1984 to 1999, 7835 utility patents were granted in the US to Australian-resident inventors. Of these, 1308 patents (17%) were identified as medical patents; 489 (37%) of these were biotechnology patents. Medical patents account for an increasing proportion of all US patents granted to Australian inventors, increasing from 10% in 1984 to 25% in 1999. Biotechnology accounted for an increasing proportion of medical patents, rising from 10% to 55% between 1984 and 1999. More than half the medical patents are owned by commercial interests, and 33% by only 14 organisations, six of which are universities and their affiliated institutions. CONCLUSION: Only a few organisations account for most of the patenting of medical technology. The inventors and their organisations listed on medical patents could be canvassed when developing government policy and targeted for support in commercialising their medical technology.     

Australian doctors' beliefs and practice regarding Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: To determine beliefs and behaviours of Australian doctors regarding Helicobacter pylori. DESIGN: Anonymous reply-paid postal survey mailed in December 1995 and again in March 1996. SUBJECTS: All members on the mailing lists of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia Endoscopy Section (n = 397) and the Australian Society of Infectious Diseases (n = 264; those without medical qualifications were asked not to reply), and 400 general practitioners (GPs) randomly selected from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences between specialist groups in belief in a causative association between H. pylori and peptic disease and in use of eradication therapy and pre- and post-treatment testing for H. pylori. RESULTS: 92.6% of doctors believed H. pylori causes duodenal ulcer, with GPs significantly less likely to believe than gastroenterologists (odds ratio [OR], 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00-0.81). In duodenal ulcer, 93.4% of doctors believed H. pylori eradication therapy should be given, but fewer (83.4%) claimed to give it "always or mostly", with GPs less likely to report giving it than gastroenterologists (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.02-0.19). For non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastrointestinal surgeons were more likely than gastroenterologists to believe in a causative link with H. pylori (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 3.0-10.7) and in a need for eradication therapy (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.7-7.7). Most doctors (79.3%) believed in confirming the presence of H. pylori before eradication therapy in duodenal ulcer. Only 51.6% believed post-eradication testing necessary (45.5%), yet 79.1% reported performing it. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences exist between specialist groups in beliefs and self-reported behaviours regarding H. pylori.     

Depression among Australian adolescents

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence and factors associated with depression in Australian adolescents. DESIGN: A representative, multistage probability sample of Australian households conducted in 1998 (part of the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being). Adolescents completed self-report questionnaires and parents were interviewed using a lay-administered, structured psychiatric interview and several questionnaires. PARTICIPANTS: 1,490 adolescents aged 13-17 years and their parent or main caregiver. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of depression in adolescents, as reported by parents and by adolescents themselves; demographic factors; health-risk behaviours; and rate of use of support services. RESULTS: Of the 1,490 adolescents originally sampled, 150 (10%) did not complete responses to questions on depression and were excluded from the analysis. Seventy of the remaining 1340 adolescents (5.2%; 95% CI, 4.0%-6.4%) met criteria for self-reported depression. Agreement between parent- and adolescent-reported depression was poor (kappa=0.27). Adolescent-reported depression was associated with increased suicide plans (odds ratio [OR], 2.83; 95% CI, 1.19-6.70) and attempts (OR, 9.05; 95% CI, 3.49-23.50) in the previous year, use of marijuana 10 or more times in the previous month (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.25-6.64), having conduct disorder (OR, 4.09; 95% CI, 1.23-13.63) and use of school support services (OR, 4.71; 95% CI, 1.82-12.22). Those who used any kind of support service (24/70; 34%) used a mean of 2.9 services (mode, 2; range, 1-5). Three per cent (2/70) of depressed adolescents had been treated with antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS: Depressed adolescents exhibit higher rates of health-risk behaviours and psychosocial impairment than non-depressed adolescents, but only a small number receive appropriate treatment. Staff working in school-based services should be trained to identify adolescents with depression and facilitate referral for treatment.     

A national survey of medical morning handover report in Australian hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and format of medical morning handover report (MMHR) in Australian hospitals. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaire survey faxed to 76 Australian hospitals accredited for basic physician training by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). The survey was conducted in 2005. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of MMHR; structure and format of meetings. RESULTS: 53 of 76 (70%) hospitals responded. However, some data (1.7% of possible responses) were missing or illegible. Prevalence of the use of MMHR in respondent hospitals was 58% (31/53). Analysing the data by RACP accreditation level, 18/24 Level 3 hospitals (75%) conducted MMHR compared with 5/9 Level 2 hospitals (56%) and 7/18 Level 1 hospitals (39%) (odds ratio [OR] for trend, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.12-4.23; P = 0.023). 44 of 53 respondents reported their Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas (RRMA) classification. MMHR is less likely to be held in hospitals in regions classified as RRMA 2-4 (8/21 [38%]) than those in capital cities (RRMA 1) (16/23 [70%]) (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08-0.95; P = 0.042). In 62% of hospitals, MMHR was chaired by a consultant, and at most hospitals (23/31 [74%]), meetings were 15-30 minutes long. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of RACP accreditation requirements, the use of MMHR in Australian hospitals accredited for basic physician training is low.     

医院专利管理存在的问题及对策

目的深入了解医院专利管理的现状及存在的问题,并提出相应的对策,提高医院专利管理的水平,从而提升医院的知识产权核心竞争力。方法通过对南通大学附属医院2004-2013年已获得授权的专利进行统计,结合专利发明人的学历、职称、所在学科等进行全面分析。结果专利多集中于实用新型专利,占专利总数的85.57%;护理人员是专利发明人的主体,占专利总数的67.01%;发明专利发明人多集中在临床、医技学科。专利成果流于形式,很少转化为现实生产力。结论针对前面的数据分析,提出对策：普及专利基本知识;加强专利管理队伍建设;大力促进专利的转让与实施;实行知识产权跟踪管理。     

Self-reported adherence with medication and cardiovascular disease outcomes in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study (ANBP2)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether responses to a previously validated four-item medication adherence questionnaire were associated with adverse cardiovascular events. DESIGN: Survey conducted among a cohort of participants in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study. SETTING: Australian general practice. PARTICIPANTS: 4039 older people with hypertension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All major cardiovascular events or death; first specific cardiovascular event. RESULTS: Subjects who adhered to their medication regimen (compared with non-adherent subjects) were significantly less likely to experience a first cardiovascular event or a first non-fatal cardiovascular event (hazard ratio [HR] for both, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.98; P = 0.03); a fatal other cardiovascular event (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.99; P = 0.04); or a first occurrence of heart failure (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37-0.90; P = 0.02). Those who answered yes to "Did you ever forget to take your medication?" were significantly more likely to experience a cardiovascular event or death (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04-1.57; P = 0.02); a first cardiovascular event or death (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07-1.60; P = 0.01); a first cardiovascular event (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.65; P = 0.01); or a first non-fatal cardiovascular event (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.09-1.66; P = 0.01). Those who answered yes to "Sometimes, if you felt worse when you took your medicine, did you stop taking it?" were significantly more likely to experience a first occurrence of heart failure (HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.16-3.64; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects who adhered to their medication regimen were less likely to experience major cardiovascular events or death. The question relating to forgetting to take medication identified non-adherent subjects likely to experience a cardiovascular event or death. Clinicians could use this question to identify patients with hypertension who are likely to benefit from medication adherence strategies.     

Factors associated with rural practice among Australian-trained general practitioners

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with general practitioners' current practice location, with particular emphasis on rural location. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective, case-control study using a self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: Australian general practices in December 2000. PARTICIPANTS: 2414 Australian-trained rural and urban GPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Current urban or rural practice location. RESULTS: For Australia as a whole, rural GPs were more likely to be male (odds ratio [OR], 1.42; 95% CI, 1.17-1.73), Australian-born (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.55-2.45), and to report attending a rural primary school for "some" (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.69-2.89) or "all" (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.94-4.00) of their primary schooling. Rural GPs' partners or spouses were also more likely to report "some" (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 2.07-3.66) or "all" (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 2.02-4.05) rural primary schooling. A rural background in both GP and partner produced the highest likelihood of rural practice (OR, 6.28; 95% CI, 4.26-9.25). For individual jurisdictions, a trend towards more rural GPs being men was only significant in Tasmania. In all jurisdictions except Tasmania and the Northern Territory, rural GPs were more likely to be Australian-born. CONCLUSIONS: GPs' and their partners' rural background (residence and primary and secondary schooling) influences choice of practice location, with partners' background appearing to exert more influence.     

基于专利信息的我国医学人工智能产业竞争态势分析

目的：从专利信息角度入手对医学人工智能产业进行分析,以期实现该行业长久快速发展。方法：利用国家知识产权局专利数据库构建检索策略,对检索结果从专利态势、申请人实力和技术层面进行分析。结果：我国医学人工智能领域专利数量自2008年开始逐年上升,国内专利申请量主要集中在广东、北京和江苏等发达地区,申请人中来华企业属于技术领导者和潜在竞争者,我国申请人大部分属于技术活跃者。专利技术分布在A61B（诊断外科）、A61H（理疗装置）等小类,识别图形、图像分析以及数字计算和数据处理等是我国医学人工智能领域的研究热点。结论:我国在医学人工智能领域属于技术活跃者,但专利质量仍是阻碍领域发展的短板,产业化程度和研发效率相对较低也是亟待解决的问题。医学影像学的人工智能技术发展表现突出,是实现领域创新的难得机遇。     

The Australian Cancer Anaemia Survey: a snapshot of anaemia in adult patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and management of anaemia in Australian adults with solid and haematological malignancies. DESIGN: 6-month observational, prospective, multicentre study. PARTICIPANTS: 694 patients recruited from outpatient oncology clinics in 24 hospitals in five Australian states between 9 April 2001 and 31 July 2001. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] level < 120 g/L) at enrolment and over ensuing 6 months, by tumour type, disease status and cancer treatment; anaemia treatment and "trigger" Hb level for this treatment. RESULTS: Participants had median age 60 years, and 61% were women. Prevalence of anaemia at enrolment was 35% (199/562), with 78% of these 199 having mild anaemia (Hb, 100-119 g/L). Frequency of anaemia (either present at enrolment or developing during the study) was 57% overall (323/566), and varied with tumour type, from 49% (lymphoma/myeloma) to 85% (urogenital cancer). Patients who received radiotherapy either in combination or concomitant with chemotherapy were more likely to have anaemia (73%) than those receiving chemotherapy alone (58%) (P = 0.004). Of all chemotherapy patients not anaemic at enrolment, 23% developed anaemia by the second monthly follow-up. Independent predictors for anaemia in chemotherapy patients were low baseline Hb level (odds ratio [OR], 5.4; 95% CI, 2.7-10.9) and use of platinum chemotherapeutic agents (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 2.1-11.4) (P < 0.001). Anaemia was treated in 41% of patients with anaemia at enrolment--by transfusion (36%), iron (5%) and erythropoietic agents (2%). Frequency of anaemia treatment varied between tumour types, from 19% (breast cancer) to 60% (leukaemia). The mean "trigger Hb" for initiating transfusion was 95 g/L. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia is prevalent among Australian patients with cancer managed in hospital oncology units. Its management varies between tumour types. Many patients do not receive treatment for their anaemia.     

Repetition of deliberate self-poisoning in an Australian hospital-treated population.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the hospital-treated prevalences for repeat deliberate self-poisoning (RDSP) and the demographic characteristics of the RDSP group, and to compare the RDSP and non-RDSP groups. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal cohort study, with a one- to four-year follow-up. SETTING: The Hunter Area Toxicology Service (HATS), a regional toxicology treatment centre in New South Wales. SUBJECTS: 1238 consecutive DSP patients referred to hospital, 1992-1994, with follow-up through 1995. OUTCOME MEASURES: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) admissions within one year (RDSP-1), within six months (RDSP-6m), and within 28 days (RDSP-28d) of any other DSP admission by the same patient; length of stay; demographic characteristics; and drugs ingested. RESULTS: 175 patients (14.1%) repeated DSP during the study; 165 (13.3%) were classified as RDSP-1, giving a patient prevalence of hospitalisation in the range of 14.6 to 20.7 per 100,000 per year. Fifty-six RDSP-28d patients (33.9% of RDSP-1) accounted for 49.8% of the RDSP-1 admissions, and 123 RDSP-6m patients (74.5% of RDSP-1) accounted for 83.5% of RDSP-1 admissions. For RDSP-1, the male:female ratio was 1:1.9, with 35.7% unemployed, 29.1% pensioners and 15.8% married or in de facto relationships. RDSP-1 patients had a shorter length of stay (3 h), which was not clinically important. RDSP was more likely for the 25-34 years age group (odds ratio [OR], 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-4.29) and the 35-44 years age group (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.02-4.39) than the 10-18 years group, and more likely for women than men (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.17-2.46). Being married/de facto reduced the risk for repetition (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.96) compared with being single. Medications indicated for psychiatric illness were most commonly used for DSP. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients who repeat DSP do so after a very brief interval and account for a disproportionate number of hospitalisations. Availability of psychiatric medications for DSP patients is a possible area of intervention.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures among Australian hospital patients identified as indigenous

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether hospital patients identified as Indigenous are less likely than other inpatients to have a principal procedure recorded, and the extent to which any disparity in procedure use can be explained by differences in patient, episode and hospital characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of routinely collected administrative data from the National Hospital Morbidity Database (NHMD). SETTING: Australian public and private hospitals. PATIENTS: All patients included in the NHMD whose episode type was recorded as acute and whose separation occurred between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 1998. Patients admitted for routine dialysis treatment were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Whether a principal procedure was recorded. RESULTS: In public hospitals, patients identified as Indigenous were significantly less likely than other patients to have a principal procedure recorded, even after adjusting for patient, episode and hospital characteristics (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.66-0.68). This disparity was apparent for most diseases and conditions. In private hospitals, no significant difference was observed (adjusted OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83-1.06). CONCLUSIONS: The disparity in procedure use after adjustment for relevant factors indicates that in Australian public hospitals there may be systematic differences in the treatment of patients identified as Indigenous.     

Associations between rural background and where South Australian general practitioners work

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between rural background on practice location of general practitioners (GPs) (rural or urban). DESIGN: Comparison of data from two postal surveys. SUBJECTS: 268 rural and 236 urban GPs practising in South Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between practice location (rural or urban) and demographic characteristics, training, qualifications, and rural background. RESULTS: Rural GPs were younger than urban GPs (mean age 47 versus 50 years, P < 0.01) and more likely to be male (81% versus 67%, P = 0.001), to be Australian-born (72% versus 61%, P = 0.01), to have a partner (95% versus 85%, P = 0.001), and to have children (94% versus 85%, P = 0.001). Similar proportions of rural and urban GPs were trained in Australia and were Fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, but more rural GPs were vocationally registered (94% versus 84%, P = 0.001). Rural GPs were more likely to have grown up in the country (37% versus 27%, P = 0.02), to have received primary (33% versus 19%, P = 0.001) and secondary (25% versus 13%, P = 0.001) education there, and to have a partner who grew up in the country (49% versus 24%, P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, only primary education in the country (odds ratio [OR], 2.43; 95% CI, 1.09-5.56) and partner of rural background (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.96-5.10) were independently associated with rural practice. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the policy of promoting entry to medical school of students with a rural background and provide an argument for policies that address the needs of partners and maintain quality primary and secondary education in the country.     

Preventing pressure ulcers with the Australian Medical Sheepskin: an open-label randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of a new high-performance Australian medical sheepskin (meeting Australian Standard 4480.1-1998) in preventing pressure ulcers in a general hospital population at low to moderate risk of these ulcers. DESIGN:Open-label randomised controlled clinical trial. SETTING:A large metropolitan teaching hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, in 2000. PARTICIPANTS: 441 patients aged over 18 years admitted between 12 June and 30 November 2000, with expected length of stay over 2 days and assessed as at low to moderate risk of developing pressure ulcers. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly allocated to receive a sheepskin mattress overlay for the duration of their hospital stay (218 patients) or usual treatment, as determined by ward staff (referent group, 223 patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Incidence rate and cumulative incidence of pressure ulcers, assessed daily throughout hospital stay. RESULTS: 58 patients developed pressure ulcers (sheepskin group, 21; referent group, 37). Cumulative incidence risk was 9.6% in the sheepskin group (95% CI, 6.1%-14.3%) versus 16.6% in the referent group (95% CI, 12.0%-22.1%). Patients in the sheepskin group developed new pressure ulcers at a rate less than half that of referent patients (rate ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The Australian Medical Sheepskin is effective in reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers in general hospital inpatients at low to moderate risk of these ulcers.     

More doctors, but not enough: Australian medical workforce supply 2001-2012

OBJECTIVE: To project the future size of the Australian medical workforce, from 2001 to 2012. DESIGN AND SETTING: Stochastic simulation modelling of the Australian medical workforce, taking into account recent increases in medical school capacity and trends in the intake of foreign graduates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of full-time equivalent (FTE) medical practitioners per 100,000 persons within various occupation groups from 2001 (baseline) to 2012. RESULTS: The total medical workforce was projected to rise from 53,384 in 2001 to 67,659 by 2012 (95% CI, 63,924-71,036). On a per capita basis, the number of FTE clinicians was projected to rise from 331 per 100,000 persons in 2001 to 382 (95% CI, 359-403) per 100,000 persons in 2012. The general practice workforce was projected to fall from 133 FTE general practitioners per 100,000 persons in 2001, to 129 per 100,000 persons in 2003, and then remain at around this level through to 2012. The specialist workforce was projected to show steady growth, rising from 162 FTE specialists per 100,000 persons in 2001 to 206 (95% CI, 194-218) per 100,000 persons in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: The general practice workforce is likely to face continued chronic shortages, necessitating innovative policy responses to ensure that the community's need for primary medical care is met. Retirement rates are a key determinant of workforce supply, suggesting a need to encourage general practitioners to remain active as long as they remain effective. Further refinement of stochastic models will help facilitate a more proactive approach to workforce planning.     

Rainfall, evaporation and the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Australian Football League.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if weather conditions affect the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in Australian Football. DESIGN: Prospective observational analytic study of football matches. SETTING: The Australian Football League (AFL), a professional competition. PARTICIPANTS: All players in 2280 matches from 1992-1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgically-proven ACL injury, not involving a direct contact mechanism, during a match; rainfall; water evaporation. RESULTS: 59 ACL injuries not involving direct contact occurred during the study period, more commonly in cities north of Melbourne (chi 2 = 17.0; df = 1; P < 0.001). Senior grade matches (relative risk [RR], 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-6.03), high water evaporation in the month before the match (RR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.53-5.10) and low rainfall in the year before the match (RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.12-3.34) were significantly associated with these injuries. CONCLUSION: Low water evaporation and high rainfall significantly lower the risk of ACL injuries in AFL footballers. The likely mechanism is a softening of the ground, which lowers shoe-surface traction. Consistent extra watering and covering of grounds during periods of high water evaporation may lower the rate of ACL injuries.     

医学人工智能领域的技术创新态势研究

目的:通过对医学人工智能领域获得授权的发明专利分析,揭示全球技术竞争态势。方法:对医学人工智能领域近20年全球发明专利授权情况进行分析,从发明专利授权数量与趋势、技术发源地、目标市场、专利权机构、发明人、技术热点等角度展示该领域的技术创新趋势,揭示中国的技术实力水平。结果与结论:全球医学人工智能领域发明专利授权量逐年增长,技术热点聚焦于医学影像、药物研发、辅助诊断三个方向。中国成为继美国之后的全球第二大技术发源地和目标市场,中国多个专利权机构和发明人的发明专利授权量跻身全球前列。     

Inventions leading to the development of the diagnostic test kit industry--from the modern pregnancy test to the sandwich assays

The universities are encouraged by the government nowadays to stimulate innovations and also to provide the proper machinery for assisting the protection and commercialisation of innovations. A better understanding of the innovation process may help to create an atmosphere suitable for inventions at the university. Examples can be taken from successful innovations previously made at the university. During the 1960's I made a series of inventions, which ultimately led to the development of the diagnostic test kit industry. The first, which I made as an undergraduate, was a simple and reliable test kit for diagnosis of pregnancy. This was followed by the solid phase radioimmunoassay and a solid phase assay for vitamin B12; next, the dual specific non-competitive sandwich assay and the in-vitro test for diagnosis of allergy, called RAST (Radioallergosorbent test). Organon in Holland with the pregnancy test kit, and Pharmacia in Sweden with test kits for radioimmunoassay, became pioneers among the diagnostic test kit industries. Pharmacia Diagnostics later became one of the leading diagnostic test kit companies in the world and has continued to be so in the field of allergy diagnosis. Each one of these inventions started with a few unique observations leading to a technical development. The pregnancy test as well as the allergy test emerged from the development of assay methods with unique qualities with the subsequent search for appropriate applications. The foreseeing of a commercial value on a future market was a very important step. This was followed by the search for a suitable industry interested to exploit the invention with its new business opportunity i.e. apply for a patent, produce and market the products, which in my case consisted of the necessary reagents and equipments for particular diagnostic tests. Finally, an agreement had to be settled between the entrepreneur and the inventors. This report describes these inventions and particularly discusses some crucial steps of the innovation processes.     

基于成都市医疗保险数据库的老年痴呆患者5 年内再入院现状及其影响因素研究

  目的  研究成都市老年痴呆住院患者再入院现状,分析再入院的第一诊断、经济负担和影响因素。  方法  本次研究对象为参加了成都市城镇职工基本医疗保险（简称“城职医保”）和城乡居民基本医疗保险（简称“城居医保”）,且在2013–2017年间有痴呆诊断的60岁及以上的住院患者。采用秩和检验及卡方检验分析再入院率及住院经济负担在不同特征对象中的差异,并应用logistic回归分析影响再入院的因素。  结果  5年间老年痴呆住院患者共计27881人（78820人次）,30 d内再入院率为25.14%（7011/27881）,5年内再入院率为45.79%（12767/27881）。12767名再入院患者的再入院第一诊断主要包括痴呆（28.58%）、循环系统（24.26%）和呼吸系统疾病（23.71%）。再入院患者的住院经济负担高于非再入院的患者（Z=33.777,P<0.001）。再入院的发生与高龄〔以60~64岁组为参照,70~74岁组的比值比（odds ratio, OR）=1.123,95%置信区间（confidence interval, CI）:1.019~1.237;75~79岁组的OR=1.108,95%CI:1.007~1.218〕、参加城职医保（OR=1.674,95%CI:1.578~1.775）、痴呆类型（以未特指的痴呆为参照,阿尔茨海默病性痴呆组:OR=1.256,95%CI:1.163~1.357;帕金森氏病性痴呆组:OR=1.774,95%CI:1.658~1.898;混合多种痴呆组:OR=1.750,95%CI:1.457~2.103）、患病情况（以只患有痴呆为参照,患有其他疾病组:OR=0.536,95%CI :0.493~0.583）、住院天数长（OR=1.593,95%CI:1.552~1.635）和医院等级低（以三级医院为参照,二级医院的OR=1.319,95%CI:1.248~1.395;一级医院的OR=1.744,95%CI:1.608~1.891;其他医院的OR=1.465,95%CI:1.311~1.637）有关。  结论  老年痴呆患者30 d内再入院率高,再入院患者住院经济负担大。参加医保的人群中,高龄、参加城职医保、阿尔茨海默病性痴呆、帕金森氏病性痴呆、混合多种痴呆、未合并其他疾病的痴呆、住院天数长、住院医院等级低与再入院的发生相关,具体机制尚需进一步研究,以期减少老年痴呆患者再入院的发生,从而减轻疾病经济负担。