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

Chen-Hung Chiang, Ming-Che Tsai, Yee-Yung Ng and Shiao-Chi Wu
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Chen-Hung Chiang: Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Ming-Che Tsai: Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
Yee-Yung Ng: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
Shiao-Chi Wu: Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-12

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.

Keywords: mental disability; dental disease; healthcare utilization; respiratory infections; retrospective study; two-part model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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