Health Care Utilization and Cost Associated With Urinary Tract Infections in a Privately Insured Spinal Cord Injury Population
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2023 · DOI: 10.46292/sci22-00022 · Published: January 1, 2023
Simple Explanation
This study examines the impact of urinary tract infections (UTIs) on healthcare costs and resource use for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The research identifies several factors that increase the risk of UTIs in this population, including younger age, female sex, and specific levels of injury. The findings highlight that UTIs significantly increase healthcare utilization and costs, emphasizing the need for better management and prevention strategies for individuals with SCI.
Key Findings
- 1Younger age, female sex, thoracic level of injury, noncommercial insurance, and having at least one comorbidity were associated with increased odds of UTI.
- 2Individuals with a UTI in year 1 were 11 times more likely to experience a UTI in year 2.
- 3UTIs were associated with 2.48 times higher cumulated health care resource use payments over 2 years after injury.
Research Summary
Practical Implications
Targeted Interventions
Develop tailored educational programs for SCI patients to prevent hospital readmissions and promote well-being.
Risk Factor Awareness
Increase awareness among healthcare providers about the risk factors associated with UTIs in SCI patients to improve early identification and management.
Cost-Effective Strategies
Implement cost-effective strategies for the surveillance and management of UTIs in SCI patients to optimize healthcare resource utilization.
Study Limitations
- 1MarketScan database is based on a large convenience sample, which may contain biases.
- 2Observational claims are prone to missing data and inaccurate coding practices.
- 3Missing variables include injury severity, bladder management method, and behavioral factors.