Aimto investigate the drug-class-specific changes in the volume and cost of antidiabetic medications in Poland in 2012–2015.MethodsThis retrospective analysis was conducted based on the National Health Fund database covering an entire Polish population. The volume of antidiabetic medications is reported according to ATC/DDD methodology, costs—in current international dollars, based on purchasing power parity.ResultsDuring a 4-year observational period the number of patients, consumption of antidiabetic drugs and costs increased by 17%, 21% and 20%, respectively. Biguanides are the basic diabetes medication with a 39% market share. The insulin market is still dominated by human insulins, new antidiabetics (incretins, thiazolidinediones) are practically absent. Insulins had the largest share in diabetes medications expenditures (67% in 2015). The increase in antidiabetic medications costs over the analysed period of time was mainly caused by the increased use of insulin analogues.ConclusionsThe observed tendencies correspond to the evidence-based HTA recommendations. The reimbursement status, the ratio of cost to clinical outcomes and data on the long-term safety have a deciding impact on how a drug is used.

IntroductionMortality, whether in or out of hospital, increases with age. However, studies evaluating in-hospital mortality in large populations did not distinguish between surgical and non-surgical causes of death, either in young or in elderly patients. The aim of the study was to assess in-hospital non-surgical mortality in a large group of patients, with a special focus on the elderly.Material and methodsData from the database of the Polish National Health Fund (NHF) regarding hospitalizations of adult (≥ 18 years) patients not related to surgical procedures in the years 2009–2013 were used to assess in-hospital mortality.Results15,345,025 hospitalizations were assessed. The mean in-hospital non-surgery-related mortality rate was 3.96 ±0.17%, and increased from 3.79% to 4.2% between 2009 and 2013. The mean odds ratio for in-hospital death increased with the age of patients, reaching a 229-fold higher rate in the ≥ 95 years age group as compared to the 18–24 age group. The highest mean mortality was associated with respiratory diseases (6.91 ±0.20%), followed by heart and vascular diseases, nervous system diseases, as well as combined gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary tract, pancreas and spleen diseases (5.65 ±0.27%, 5.46 ±0.05% and 4.01 ±0.13%, respectively).ConclusionsThe in-hospital non-surgery-related mortality rate was approximately 4%. It significantly increased with age and, regardless of age, was highest in patients suffering from respiratory diseases.

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Introduction Despite the availability of diagnostic tests and effective treatment, there has been a problem with vigilance and reporting of that infectious disease in many countries including Poland. Aim To compare the incidence of syphilis in Poland in years 2010–2016 according to the mandatory epidemiological surveillance system with the data of the National Health Fund (NHF). Material and methods Data of the NHF in Poland were collected. The total number of patients with syphilis (all forms) was estimated on the basis of their unique identifying numbers (PESEL). Results The steady increase in the incidence of syphilis in Poland throughout 2010–2016 was found, apart from the congenital form of the disease, which decreased since 2010. The higher prevalence of syphilis was noted in men. The number of hospitalized patients remained constant. According to the data of the NHF, the number of cases of syphilis in Poland was twofold higher as compared to the statistics of the mandatory epidemiological surveillance system (National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene, NIPH-NIH), which was the basis of reports published up to date. Conclusions Our work shows that there is a remarkable underreporting of syphilis in the mandatory epidemiological surveillance system in Poland, involving also hospitalized patients. The use of the data of NHF in the surveillance of syphilis in Poland is proposed.