Economic Burden and Influencing Factors of Acute Gastroenteritis in China: A Population-Based Face to Face Survey in 2018

Abstract

BackgroundAcute gastroenteritis is an important and highly prevalent public health problem worldwide. The purpose of this study was to assess the economic burden of disease and its influencing factors in patients with acute gastroenteritis in Heilongjiang Province, China.MethodsA multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used in a face-to-face household survey in 2018. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, clinical symptoms, suspicious dietary history, and disease treatment information were collected from 19,647 respondents. One-way analysis of variance and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to investigate the factors associated with the economic burden of acute gastroenteritis. Quantitative risk analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to estimate the uncertainty and risk factors of the economic burden of acute gastroenteritis.ResultsThe total economic burden of patients with acute gastroenteritis was 63,969.22 CNY (Chinese Yuan), of which the direct economic burden accounted for 63.82%; the per capita economic burden was 131.35 CNY per month. Age, region, disease duration, and disease treatment were the main factors significantly associated with the economic burden of acute gastroenteritis (P < 0.05). The average economic burden of patients with acute gastroenteritis was approximately 571.84 CNY/person (95% CI: 227–1,459). Sensitivity analysis showed that the greatest impact was from the indirect economic burden.ConclusionsAcute gastroenteritis brings a substantial health burden to patients due to its high incidence. The economic burden of self-purchased drugs and the indirect economic burden of patients cannot be ignored. To better estimate the economic burden of acute gastroenteritis in China, further studies on the pathogen-specific economic burden of acute gastroenteritis are required.

Prevalence and associated factors of acute gastroenteritis in children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years old: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database 1999–2018

“…The decreasing trend of AGE prevalence we found was similar to previous studies 19–21. From 2006 to 2011, the number of AGE patients declined by about 30%, according to a report based on national emergency room visit data 19.…”

“…The decreasing trend of AGE prevalence we found was similar to previous studies. [19][20][21] From 2006 to 2011, the number of AGE patients declined by about 30%, according to a report based on national emergency room visit data. 19 In the Chinese population, Huo et al 21 reported a monthly prevalence of AGE of 3.54% in the investigated population, which was slightly lower than that in the American population.…”

“…[19][20][21] From 2006 to 2011, the number of AGE patients declined by about 30%, according to a report based on national emergency room visit data. 19 In the Chinese population, Huo et al 21 reported a monthly prevalence of AGE of 3.54% in the investigated population, which was slightly lower than that in the American population. Kim et al 20 found that the monthly prevalence of AGE was 8.31% and has been significantly decreasing over time in the USA from 2005 to 2014.…”