Población potencialmente excluida de cobertura sanitaria con el Real Decreto 16/2012 y sus repercusiones sanitarias: la experiencia desde la Cataluña Central

ResumenObjetivoConocer la proporción de población potencialmente excluida de cobertura sanitaria a partir del Real Decreto-Ley 16/2012. Describir el uso de servicios sanitarios, la distribución de patología crónica e infecciosa y el gasto farmacéutico en 2012 de las personas excluidas respecto a las que mantendrían su cobertura.Diseño y emplazamientoEstudio observacional analítico transversal de base poblacional en atención primaria. Gerencia Territorial de la Cataluña Central del Institut Català de la Salut.Participantes y mediciones principalesSe seleccionaron las personas potencialmente excluidas a partir de la aplicación del Real Decreto-Ley 16/2012 y se compararon con las personas que mantendrían su cobertura sanitaria apareadas de forma aleatoria por edad, sexo y servicio de atención primaria. La información obtenida incluyó el uso de servicios sanitarios, la distribución de patologías crónicas e infecciosas y el gasto farmacéutico durante el año 2012.ResultadosSe identificaron 1.699 personas, el 0,53% del total de la población (51,4% hombres), con una mediana de edad de 34años (rango intercuartílico, 28-43) potencialmente excluidas de cobertura sanitaria. El uso de servicios sanitarios, la morbilidad crónica registrada y el gasto farmacéutico durante el año 2012 de los excluidos fueron inferiores a los de los no excluidos (p<0,001). En cambio, la morbilidad infecciosa fue superior en los excluidos (p<0,001).ConclusionesLos resultados del estudio llevan a pensar que esta medida legislativa no parece justificada por razones médicas ni económicas. Además, podría provocar problemas de salud pública y contribuir al riesgo de fractura social.AbstractObjectiveTo assess the proportion of population potentially excluded from healthcare coverage since the Royal Decree-Law 16/2012. To describe the use of health services, the distribution of chronic and infectious diseases, and the pharmaceutical costs in 2012 of the persons potentially excluded compared to the those who maintain their coverage.Design and settingAn observational analytical cross-sectional study was designed and conducted on a Primary Care based population in the Central Catalonia Management Area of the Institut Català de la SalutParticipants and main measurementsIndividuals potentially excluded since the application of the Royal Decree-Law 16/2012 were selected and compared with individuals who maintained their healthcare coverage, randomly matched by sex, age and Primary Care service. The information obtained included the use of health services, the distribution of chronic and infectious diseases, and the pharmaceutical costs during the year 2012.ResultsA total of 1,699 individuals were identified as potentially excluded from healthcare coverage, 0.53% of the total of population (51.4% men), with a median of age of 34years (interquartile range, 28-43). The use of healthcare services, the chronic morbidity recorded, and the pharmaceutical costs during the year 2012 of the excluded individuals was lower than those of the non-excluded ones (P<.001). On the other hand, the infectious morbidity was higher in the excluded individuals (P<.001).ConclusionsThe results of the study suggests that this legislative measure does not seem to be justified for medical or economic reasons. It could also cause public health problems and contribute to the risk of social fracture

EoE CONNECT, the European Registry of Clinical, Environmental, and Genetic Determinants in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: rationale, design, and study protocol of a large-scale epidemiological study in Europe

Background: The growing prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) represents a considerable burden to patients and health care systems. Optimizing cost-effective management and identifying mechanisms for disease onset and progression are required. However, the paucity of large patient cohorts and heterogeneity of practice hinder the defining of optimal management of EoE. Methods: EoE CONNECT is an ongoing, prospective registry study initiated in 2016 and currently managed by EUREOS, the European Consortium for Eosinophilic Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Patients are managed and treated by their responsible specialists independently. Data recorded using a web-based system include demographic and clinical variables; patient allergies; environmental, intrapartum, and early life exposures; and family background. Symptoms are structurally assessed at every visit; endoscopic features and histological findings are recorded for each examination. Prospective treatment data are registered sequentially, with new sequences created each time a different treatment (active principle, formulation, or dose) is administered to a patient. EoE CONNECT database is actively monitored to ensure the highest data accuracy and the highest scientific and ethical standards. Results: EoE CONNECT is currently being conducted at 39 centers in Europe and enrolls patients of all ages with EoE. In its aim to increase knowledge, to date EoE CONNECT has provided evidence on the effectiveness of first- and second-line therapies for EoE in clinical practice, the ability of proton pump inhibitors to induce disease remission, and factors associated with improved response. Drug effects to reverse fibrous remodeling and endoscopic features of fibrosis in EoE have also been assessed. Conclusion: This prospective registry study will provide important information on the epidemiological and clinical aspects of EoE and evidence as to the real-world and long-term effectiveness and safety of therapy. These data will potentially be a vital benchmark for planning future EoE health care services in Europe