Just Accepted
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Pattern of hospital admissions and costs associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia, 2012-2017
Abstract
Objective: To describe the pattern and trends in acute rheumatic fever (ARF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD)-related hospitalisations and costs for Australians aged <65-years. Methods: This retrospective linked data study measured trends in hospitalisations and costs for ARF, RHD and complications of ARF/RHD in Northern Territory, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales between 01/07/2012 and 30/06/2017. Persons with ARF/RHD were identified from RHD Registers and/or hospital records. Results: Over the 5-year study period, 791 children, aged <16years (86.3% Indigenous), and 2,761 adults, aged 16-64years (44.8% Indigenous), were hospitalised for ARF, RHD or associated complications. On average there were 296 paediatric admissions per year, increasing 6.1% annually (95% CI:2.4-9.6%, p=0.001) and 1442 adult admissions per year, increasing 1.7% annually (95% CI:0.1-3.4%, p=0.03). Total five-year costs were AU$130.6m (AU$17.6m paediatric, AU$113.0m adult). Paediatric costs were mostly for ARF-related admissions whereas adult costs were mostly involved valvular surgery. Emergency admissions and air ambulance transfers were common, particularly for non-metropolitan residents. Conclusions: Successful ARF/RHD prevention would deliver significant hospital cost savings. Investment in primary and specialist health care in regional areas may reduce emergency admissions and regional transfers, further reducing hospital burden.
AH24148 Accepted 26 September 2024
© CSIRO 2024
