Recent Trends in Healthcare Utilization Among Children and Adolescents With Hypertension in the United States

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the healthcare utilization of hospitalized children with hypertension. The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database, years 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006, was used to identify hypertension hospitalizations. We examined the association of patient and hospital characteristics on hypertension charges. Data from each cohort year were used to analyze trends in charges. We found that 71282 pediatric hypertension hospitalizations generated $3.1 billion in total charges from 1997 to 2006. Approximately 68% were 10 to 18 years old, 55% were boys, and 47% were white. Six percent of claims with a diagnosis code for hypertension also had a diagnosis code for end-stage renal disease or renal transplant. The frequency of hypertension discharges increased over time (P=0.02 for each of age groups 2–9 years and 2–18 years; P=0.03 for age group 10–18 years), as well as the fraction of inpatient charges attributed to hypertension (P<0.0001). Length of stay and end-stage renal disease were associated with increases in hospitalization associated charges (P<0.0001 and P=0.03, respectively). During the 10-year study period, the frequency of hypertension-associated hospitalizations was increasing across all of the age groups, and the fraction of charges related to hypertension was also increasing. The coexisting condition of end-stage renal disease resulted in a significant increase in healthcare charges.

The Emerging Epidemic of Hypertension in Asian Children and Adolescents

“…Hypertension used to be regarded as an adult disease with no real relevance to children, because pediatric hypertension was thought to be mostly attributed to secondary causes [7•], and because the economic impact of pediatric hypertension was so trivial as compared to costs related to adult hypertension [8,9]. If so, why should we be concerned about pediatric hypertension in Asian countries?…”

Bioequivalence of enalapril oral solution for treatment of pediatric hypertension and enalapril tablets

“…2,3 In a 10-year study from 1997 to 2006, Tran et al 5 observed significantly increasing occurrences in hypertension visits among pediatric patients. The increasing incidences of pediatric hypertension, which appear to be associated with childhood obesity, are also associated with increasing health-care charges.…”

The Increasing Burden of Pediatric Hypertension

“…Despite the vast discrepancy, however, the current report highlights the growing economic impact of pediatric hypertension. The current study by Tran et al 1 estimates that, between 1997 and 2006, the hospital costs to treat children with hypertension-related illness were more than $3 billion.…”