Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Healthcare utilization in general practice and hospitals preceding a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis: a nationwide registry study
Authors' conclusion
The higher use of healthcare services in general practice and hospitals in the three years before diagnosis suggests an opportunity to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment of SSc.
Study context
- Population
- Danish national registries: incident systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients diagnosed 2005–2018 and age- and gender-matched references without SSc1,255 women and 395 men with SSc
- Participants
- 1,650 vs 16,500
- Exposure
- SSc vs matched references without SSc
- SScn = 1,650
- Referencesn = 16,500reference
- Outcome
- Healthcare utilization (contacts with general practice and hospitals) in the three years preceding diagnosis
- Follow-up
- Three years before diagnosis
Methodological detailsnationwide registry, matched by age and gender (1:10)
- Nationwide registry
- Matched by age and gender (1:10)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs referencesEstimate (95% CI)
SSc
adjusted IRR, general practice, women 1.43(1.33–1.53)
SSc
adjusted IRR, general practice, men 1.47(1.26–1.71)
SSc
adjusted IRR, hospitals, women 1.86(1.62–2.14)
SSc
adjusted IRR, hospitals, men 2.70(2.04–3.58)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts with general practice and hospitals · Last three months before diagnosisSScvs References | adjusted IRR, general practice, women 2.30 (95% CI 2.16–2.44) | |
| Contacts with general practice and hospitals · Last three months before diagnosisSScvs References | adjusted IRR, general practice, men 2.98 (95% CI 2.64–3.35) | |
| Contacts with general practice and hospitals · Last three months before diagnosisSScvs References | adjusted IRR, hospitals, women 5.62 (95% CI 5.08–6.20) | |
| Contacts with general practice and hospitals · Last three months before diagnosisSScvs References | adjusted IRR, hospitals, men 9.53 (95% CI 7.81–11.63) | |
| 0.050.21520Ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Healthcare utilization in general practice and hospitals preceding a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis: a nationwide registry study. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 28 October 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →