Mental Disabilities Increase the Risk of Respiratory Infection-Related Healthcare Utilization

Abstract

Patients with chronic mental illness are highly vulnerable to chronic respiratory problems. We examined the influence of mental disability on respiratory infection-related utilization risk in individuals with and without mental disabilities (MDs). A population-based, retrospective cohort design and two-part model were used to analyze respiratory infection-related utilization in individuals with MDs (MD group) and a matched reference group. The respiratory infection-related utilization rate in one year was lower in the MD group (53.8%) than in the reference group (56.6%). The odds ratios (ORs) were significantly higher among individuals with profound MDs (aOR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.07–1.14) and those with a history of dental cavities (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.13–1.19) or periodontal disease (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.19–1.26) after controlling for covariables. The average number of visits was higher in the MD group (5.3) than in the reference group (4.0). The respiratory infection-related utilization rate and average number of visits were significantly higher in the mild, moderate and severe disabled groups with a history of periodontal disease, respectively, than that of the reference group. In conclusion, healthcare authorities must develop an incentive program to prevent respiratory infections among individuals with MDs.

The impact of COVID-19 on health systems, mental health and the potential for nursing

“…Systems which promote close liaison with general medical services are particularly essential at this moment. Evidence that people attending mental health services have not enjoyed equivalent access as others to general medical services (Chiang et al 2019;Fond et al 2019;Sheridan, 2019) may be considered significant if replicated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, innovations have been evident in clinical settings, for instance, where staff members affix a photo of themselves to their PPE gowns.…”

Epidemiological characteristics of chronic non-communicable diseases in Dongfang, China, 2021: a cross-sectional survey

“…Young unemployed people were at high risk of difficulties in emotion regulation, leading to depression and other mental health problems 45 and people with chronic mental illness were highly vulnerable to chronic respiratory problems. 46 Therefore, counselling and treatment for abnormal psychological manifestations should be considered into respiratory diseases intervention for younger residents to achieve better intervention effects overall. In contrast, the chronic lower respiratory diseases of children from poor families in Dongfang were not affected by economic status, which is inconsistent with the previous conclusions.…”

Timely psychological care for patients with severe mental illness during COVID-19 epidemic

“…The majority of the patients with SMI are functionally disabled and overall less able to utilize/access mental health services (Li et al, 2013). Patients with SMI appear to have been more vulnerable to the emerging infectious disease consistent with overall trends in risk for medical comorbidity; along with barriers to appropriate nutrition and exercise, polypharmacy, and sustained hospitalizations (Chiang et al, 2019;Zhu et al, 2020). Moreover, the patients with SMI could be a potential source of infection for the emerging infectious viruses, such as COVID-19, because he/she was difficulty to be screened and quarantined (Sujita et al, 2020).…”