Characteristics, comorbidities, and use of healthcare resources of patients with phenylketonuria: a population-based study

Abstract

Background: Phenylketonuria is a well-known disease, yet the characteristics of the affected population and their use of healthcare resources have not been comprehensively evaluated. Patient characteristics and use of resources are subjects of interest for most governments, especially for a disease included in new born screening programs. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine characteristics and use of healthcare resources of patients with phenylketonuria in the region of Catalonia. Methods: Records of 289 patients admitted with phenylketonuria between 2007 and 2017 were extracted from the PADRIS database that includes admission data from primary care centers, hospitals (inpatient and outpatient care), extended care facilities and mental health centers. Results: Patient population was composed by 140 males and 149 females, and 102 patients were registered via newborn screening during the study period. Patients were admitted on average 2.19 times per year, mostly into primary care centers which concentrated the biggest portion of direct medical expenses. Similar percentages of urgent and scheduled admissions were registered both in primary care and hospitals. Annual direct medical cost of treating patients with PKU was €667 per patient. Finally, 66.80% of the patients suffered from chronic conditions affecting 2 or more systems, likely to correspond to a wide variety of conditions. Conclusions: Altogether, phenylketonuria patient demographics and direct medical costs in Catalonia have been revised. Patients diagnosed with phenylketonuria appeared 1.3 times more likely to suffer from chronic conditions in distinct organ systems, which is expected to have an effect on their use of healthcare resources. These results support the need to adapt and improve the health care system taking multimorbidity into consideration in an effort to control the medical expenses derived.

A scoping review of clusters of multiple long-term conditions in people with intellectual disabilities and factors impacting on outcomes for this patient group

“…Two studies (Emerson et al, 2016; Kinnear et al, 2018) included participants on or over the age of 16 although the majority included adults from the age of 18 only. Two further studies included children (Darbà, 2019; Ptomey et al, 2020). Six studies focused on ageing populations: one focused on ages 40+ years ( n = 1, 5%), one on ages 45+ years ( n = 1, 5%), three on ages 50+ years ( n = 3, 15%), and one on ages 60+ years ( n = 1, 5%).…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception of Health and Treatment-Related Issues among Patients with Phenylketonuria in Poland—The Results of a National Online Survey

“…Jahja et al [ 9 ] reported that adolescent and adult PKU patients demonstrated poorer social cognition and had poorer social skills than controls, with a tendency towards lower or delayed autonomy [ 10 ] and emotional difficulties related to maintaining a PKU diet [ 11 ]. Moreover, patients often feel social isolation and limits on socialisation [ 12 ], with many of them identified as having significant neurocognitive, mental health and general health problems [ 7 , 10 , 13 , 14 ]. An association between parent stress, anxiety, and depression in parents of PKU children has also been described [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”