Income and professional inequalities in chronic diseases: prevalence and incidence in France.

OBJECTIVES: In France, almost nine of 10 deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases, and there is significant social inequality in mortality rates. However, it is not easy to collect robust data on the incidence and prevalence of such diseases according to socio-economic status. Based on data from the link between the primary longitudinal population sample and the national health data system, the aim of our study was to compute the standardised incidence and prevalence of seven major groups of chronic diseases according to socio-economic status. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective cohort study. METHODS: This was a descriptive retrospective cohort study on a weighted representative sample of the French population, comprising 3.4 million individuals from data collected 2016-2017. Main chronic disease categories include diabetes, cancers, psychiatric disorders, liver and pancreatic diseases, neurological conditions, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, calculated from the 2016-2017 period by combining health care consumption and diagnoses received during hospitalisations and/or associated with specific full healthcare coverage. Socio-economic status was measured by disposable income from the 2013-2014 tax returns and census-derived socioprofessional groups, and findings were standardised for age and sex. RESULTS: For all disease categories except cancers, standardised incidence rates showed a gradient favouring the wealthiest, with a risk ratio between the first and tenth standard of living deciles ranging from 1.4 (cardiovascular diseases) to 2.8 (diabetes). Incidence of all disease categories, except cancers, was higher for all groups compared with executives and higher academic professions (risk ratios between workers and executives ranged from 2.0 to 1.3 in psychiatric and cardiovascular diseases, respectively). Conversely, cancer incidence rate followed a flat curve, reduced in the two poorest standard of living deciles, and there were no significant differences between socioprofessional groups. Standardised prevalence rates followed the same patterns, although risk ratios were highest for psychiatric diseases, varying according to sex and disease. CONCLUSIONS: Deep social inequalities in incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases were observed in a large representative sample of the French population. The reverse social inequalities in cancer incidence and prevalence calls for more detailed research into cancer types and selection mechanisms, the data from which would allow the long-term monitoring of such disparities.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of direct admission to acute geriatric unit versus admission after an emergency department visit for elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Elderly individuals represent an increasing proportion of emergency department (ED) users. In the Greater Paris University Hospitals (APHP) direct-admission study, direct admission (DA) to an acute geriatric unit (AGU) was associated with a shorter hospital length of stay (LOS), lower post-acute care transfers, and lower risk of an ED return visit in the month following the AGU hospitalization compared with admission after an ED visit. Until now, no economic evaluation of DA has been available. METHODS: We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of DA to an AGU versus admission after an ED visit in elderly patients. This was conducted alongside the APHP direct-admission study which used electronic medical records and administrative claims data from the Greater Paris University Hospitals (APHP) Health Data Warehouse and involved 19 different AGUs. We included all patients ≥ 75 years old who were admitted to an AGU for more than 24 h between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018. The effectiveness criterion was the occurrence of ED return visit in the month following AGU hospitalization. We compared the costs of an AGU stay in the DA versus the ED visit group. The perspective was that of the payer. To characterise and summarize uncertainty, we used a non-parametric bootstrap resampling and constructed cost-effectiveness accessibility curves. RESULTS: At baseline, mean costs per patient were €5113 and €5131 in the DA and ED visit groups, respectively. ED return visit rates were 3.3% (n = 81) in the DA group and 3.9% (n = 160) in the ED group (p = 0.21). After bootstrap, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €-4249 (95%CI= -66,001; +45,547) per ED return visit averted. Acceptability curves showed that DA could be considered a cost-effective intervention at a threshold of €-2405 per ED return visit avoided. CONCLUSION: The results of this cost-effectiveness analysis of DA to an AGU versus admission after an ED visit for elderly patients argues in favor of DA, which could help provide support for public decision making.

Differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between COVID-19 and influenza in critically ill adult patients: A national database study.

OBJECTIVE: Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, influenza was the most frequent cause of viral respiratory pneumonia requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Few studies have compared the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and influenza. METHODS: This was a French nationwide study comparing COVID-19 (March 1, 2020-June 30, 2021) and influenza patients (January 1, 2014-December 31, 2019) admitted to an ICU during pre-vaccination era. Primary outcome was in-hospital death. Secondary outcome was need for mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: 105,979 COVID-19 patients were compared to 18,763 influenza patients. Critically ill patients with COVID-19 were more likely to be men with more comorbidities. Patients with influenza required more invasive mechanical ventilation (47 vs. 34%, p < 0·001), vasopressors (40% vs. 27, p < 0·001) and renal-replacement therapy (22 vs. 7%, p < 0·001). Hospital mortality was 25% and 21% (p < 0·001) in patients with COVID-19 and influenza, respectively. In the subgroup of patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay was significantly longer in patients with COVID-19 (18 [10-32] vs. 15 [8-26] days, p < 0·001). Adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, and modified SAPS II score, in-hospital death was higher in COVID-19 patients (adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.69; 95%CI=1.63-1.75) compared with influenza patients. COVID-19 was also associated with less invasive mechanical ventilation (aSHR=0.87; 95%CI=0.85-0.89) and a higher likelihood of death without invasive mechanical ventilation (aSHR=2.40; 95%CI=2.24-2.57). CONCLUSION: Despite younger age and lower SAPS II score, critically ill COVID-19 patients had a longer hospital stay and higher mortality than patients with influenza.

The Association Between Age and Admission to an Inappropriate Ward: A Cross-Sectional Survey in France.

Half of elderly patient hospitalizations are preceded by an emergency department (ED) visit. Hospitalization in inappropriate wards (IWs), which is more frequent in case of ED overcrowding and high hospital occupancy, leads to increased morbidity. Elderly individuals are the most exposed to these negative health care outcomes. Based on a nationwide cross-sectional survey involving all EDs in France, the aim of this study was to explore whether age was associated with admission to an IW after visiting an ED. Among the 4384 patients admitted in a medical ward, 4065 were admitted in the same hospital where the ED was located, among which 17.7% were admitted to an IW. Older age was associated with an increased likelihood of being admitted to an IW (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.02-1.90 for patients aged 85 years and older and OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.02-1.91 for patients aged 75-84 years, compared with those under 45 years). ED visits during peak periods and cardio-pulmonary presenting complaint were also associated with an increased likelihood of admission to an IW. Despite their higher vulnerability, elderly patients are more likely to be admitted to an IW than younger patients. This result reinforces the need for special attention to be given to the hospitalization of this fragile population.

Trends in clinical characteristics and outcomes of all critically ill COVID-19 adult patients hospitalized in France between March 2020 and June 2021: a national database study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were mainly performed in the initial wave, but some small-scale data points to prognostic differences for patients in successive waves. We therefore aimed to study the impact of time on prognosis of ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients. METHOD: We performed a national retrospective cohort study, including all adult patients hospitalized in French ICUs from March 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, and identified three surge periods. Primary and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and need for invasive mechanical ventilation, respectively. RESULTS: 105,979 critically ill ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients were allocated to the relevant three surge periods. In-hospital mortality for surges 1, 2, and 3 was, respectively, 24%, 27%, and 24%. Invasive mechanical ventilation was the highest level of respiratory support for 42%, 32%, and 31% (p < 0.001) over the whole period, with a decline in the use of vasopressors over time. Adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, and modified Simplified Acute Physiology Score II at ICU admission, time period was associated with less invasive mechanical ventilation and a high risk of in-hospital death. Vaccination against COVID-19 was associated with a lower likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation (adjusted sub-hazard ratio [aSHR] = 0.64 [0.53-0.76]) and intra-hospital death (aSHR = 0.80, [0.68-0.95]). CONCLUSION: In this large database of ICU patients admitted for COVID-19, we observed a decline in invasive mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, and RRT use over time but a high risk of in-hospital death. Vaccination was identified as protective against the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death.

Social inequalities and gender differences in healthcare management of acute ischaemic stroke in France.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are regional disparities in access to stroke units in France. Several studies have shown that living in disadvantaged areas is associated with a higher frequency of stroke, worse severity at presentation, increased level of dependency and higher mortality rates. However, few studies have explored the association between an individual's socioeconomic characteristics and stroke care. Our study aimed to determine if living standards are associated with stroke unit access for patients admitted to hospital for acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Using the EDP-Santé French administrative database, all patients admitted to hospital for acute ischaemic stroke between 2014 and 2017 were selected. Acute ischaemic stroke corresponded to hospital stay with International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes I63 or I64 as the main diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify if standard of living was associated with likelihood of admission to a stroke unit. RESULTS: In all, 14,123 acute care episodes were identified, corresponding to 335,273 episodes in the general population when appropriately weighted. Of these, 52.9% were admitted to a stroke unit. Being in the first (i.e., poorest) living standard quartile was associated with lower likelihood of admission to a stroke unit compared with the fourth (i.e., wealthiest) quartile, and was associated with a higher likelihood of paralysis and language disorder, and death at 1 year. CONCLUSION: A low living standard was associated with lower likelihood of admission to a stroke unit as well as a greater chance of paralysis and aphasia at the end of hospitalization and a higher possibility of death at 1 year after stroke. Greater access to stroke units for disadvantaged people should be promoted.

Alcohol consumption among French physicians: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding French physicians' alcohol behaviours are scarce and most studies address this issue within the population of either medical students or residents. We aim to describe and assess the prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among French physicians. METHODS: A regional, cross-sectional, survey was conducted in 2018 using an online questionnaire among Parisian general practitioners and hospital doctors. Hazardous alcohol consumption was defined by an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score ≥ 8. Data were analysed in 2020. RESULTS: Five hundred fifteen physicians completed the survey: 108 general practitioners and 407 hospital physicians. The median age was 40 years [32-55] and 59 % were women. They considered their physical and mental health as average or bad in 10 % and 8% of cases, respectively. The prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption was 12.6 %. Among the 65 physicians with hazardous alcohol consumption, 27 (41.5 %) did not considered it as risky and four (6.2 %) mentioned a potentially negative impact on patients' care. Factors independently associated with hazardous alcohol consumption were illegal drugs consumption (OR 4.62 [2.05-10.37]) and fixed term contract for hospital doctors (OR 2.69 [1.14-6.36]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among French physicians was 12.6 %. Illegal substance users and fix-termed contract hospital doctors were more likely to have risky alcohol consumption. A large-scale national study would confirm the factors associated with hazardous alcohol consumption and could explore the efficacy of preventive measures to insure the safety and health of physicians and their patients.

Impact of the beta-lacta test on the management of urinary tract infections at the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases is essential. In this study, we evaluated the potential impact of ß-lacta test on both the times to appropriate antibiotic therapy and to the implementation of patient isolation measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included prospectively all the patients admitted to the emergency department for clinical suspicion of urinary tract infection. Compared with physician's decision, we analysed the potential impact of ß-lacta test on the initial antibiotic therapy and on the implementation of hygiene measures. This study has been registered under number NCT02897609. RESULTS: We included 203 patients, 43% with acute pyelonephritis and 21% with acute prostatitis. The ß-lacta test had a 95.2% sensitivity and a 99.5% specificity to detect extended-spectrum ß-lactamases. Taking the ß-lacta test results into account would have decreased significantly both the times to appropriate therapy and to isolation measures from 54 to 2.7 h and from 55.2 to 2.6 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ß-lacta test could reduce significantly the times to appropriate therapy and implementation of isolations measures.

Factors associated with inappropriate use of emergency departments: findings from a cross-sectional national study in France.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate visits to emergency departments (EDs) could represent from 20% to 40% of all visits. Inappropriate use is a burden on healthcare costs and increases the risk of ED overcrowding. The aim of this study was to explore socioeconomic and geographical determinants of inappropriate ED use in France. METHOD: The French Emergency Survey was a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted on June 11 2013, simultaneously in all EDs in France and covered characteristics of patients, EDs and counties. The survey included 48 711 patient questionnaires and 734 ED questionnaires. We focused on adult patients (≥15 years old). The appropriateness of the ED visit was assessed by three measures: caring physician appreciation of appropriateness (numeric scale), caring physician appreciation of whether or not the patient could have been managed by a general practitioner and ED resource utilisation. Descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression were used to examine determinants of inappropriate ED use, estimating adjusted ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Among the 29 407 patients in our sample, depending on the measuring method, 13.5% to 27.4% ED visits were considered inappropriate. Regardless of the measure method used, likelihood of inappropriate use decreased with older age and distance from home to the ED >10 km. Not having a private supplementary health insurance, having universal supplementary health coverage and symptoms being several days old increased the likelihood of inappropriate use. Likelihood of inappropriate use was not associated with county medical density. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate ED use appeared associated with socioeconomic vulnerability (such as not having supplementary health coverage or having universal coverage) but not with geographical characteristics. It makes us question the appropriateness of the concept of inappropriate ED use as it does not consider the distress experienced by the patient, and segments of society seem to have few other choices to access healthcare than the ED.

General practitioner consultation after a visit to the emergency department: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have demonstrated an association between poor continuity of care, high likelihood of 'inappropriate' use of emergency departments (EDs) and avoidable hospitalization. However, we lack data concerning primary care use after an ED visit. OBJECTIVE: Identify the determinants of a visit to the general practitioner (GP) after an ED visit.Methods. DESIGN: Observational study (single-centre cohort). SETTING: One emergency department in Paris, France. SUBJECTS: All adult patients who presented at the ED and were discharged. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We collected data by the use of a standardized questionnaire, patients' medical records and a telephonic follow-up. Descriptive analyses were performed to compare individuals with and without a GP. Then, for those with a GP, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of the GP consultation. RESULTS: We included 243 patients (mean age 45 years [±19]); 211 (87%) reported having a GP. Among those who reported having a GP, 52% had consulted their GP after the ED visit. Not having a GP was associated with young age, not having complementary health insurance coverage, and being single. GP consultation was associated with increasing age [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) = 1.03], poor self-reported health status (aOR = 2.25), medical complaints versus traumatic injuries (aOR = 2.24) and prescription for sick note (aOR = 5.74). CONCLUSION: Not having a GP was associated with factors of social vulnerability such as not having complementary health insurance coverage. For patients with a GP, consultation in the month after an ED visit seems appropriate, because it was associated with poor health status and medical complaints.

The French Emergency National Survey: A description of emergency departments and patients in France.

INTRODUCTION: Some major changes have occurred in emergency department (ED) organization since the early 2000s, such as the establishment of triage nurses and short-track systems. The objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics of French EDs organization and users, based on a nationwide cross-sectional survey. METHODS: The French Emergency Survey was a nationwide cross-sectional survey. All patients presenting to all EDs during a 24-hr period of June 2013 were included. Data collection concerned ED characteristics as well as patient characteristics. RESULTS: Among the 736 EDs in France, 734 were surveyed. Triage nurses and short-track systems were respectively implemented in 73% and 41% of general EDs. The median proportion of patients aged > 75 years was 14% and median hospitalisation rate was 20%. During the study period, 48,711 patients presented to one of the 734 EDs surveyed. Among them, 7% reported having no supplementary health or universal coverage (for people with lower incomes). Overall, 50% of adult patients had been seen by the triage nurse in less than 5 minutes, 74% had a time to first medical contact shorter than one hour and 55% had an ED length of stay shorter than 3 hours. CONCLUSION: The French Emergency Survey is the first study to provide data on almost all EDs in France. It underlines how ED organization has been redesigned to face the increase in the annual census. French EDs appear to have a particular role for vulnerable people: age-related vulnerability and socio-economic vulnerability with an over-representation of patients without complementary health coverage.

What Are the Determinants of Dental Care Expenditures in Institutions for Adults With Disabilities? Findings From a National Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the determinants of dental care expenditures in institutions for adults with disabilities. DESIGN: Health and disability survey and insurance database. SETTING: Institutional setting. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=2222) living in institutions for people with cognitive, sensory, and mobility disabilities. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used a Heckman selection model to correct for potential sample selection bias due to the high percentage of non-dental care users. The Heckman selection model is a 2-step statistical approach based on the simultaneous estimation of 2 multiple regression models-a selection equation (step 1) and an outcome equation (step 2)-offering a means of correcting for nonrandomly selected samples. The selection equation modeled whether the individual had consulted a dentist at least once, whereas the outcome equation explained the dental care expenditures. Disability severity was assessed by scoring mobility and cognitive functional limitations. Regressions also included sociodemographic characteristics and other health-related variables. RESULTS: Individuals with the highest cognitive limitation scores, without family visits, without supplementary health insurance, and with poor oral health status were less likely to consult a dentist. After controlling for potential selection bias, the only variable that remained statistically significant in the outcome equation was the oral health status: when individuals with poor health status had consulted at least once, they had a higher level of dental care expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: Functional limitations were barriers to accessing dental care even in institutions for adult with disabilities. These barriers should be overcome because they may worsen their oral health status and well-being. Given the lack of literature on this specific topic, our results are important from a policy perspective. Health authorities should be alerted by these findings.

Prevention of Medical Events During Air Travel: A Narrative Review.

Prior to traveling, and when seeking medical pretravel advice, patients consult their personal physicians. Inflight medical issues are estimated to occur up to 350 times per day worldwide (1/14,000-40,000 passengers). Specific characteristics of the air cabin environment are associated with hypoxia and the expansion of trapped gases into body cavities, which can lead to harm. The most frequent medical events during air travel include abdominal pain; ear, nose, and throat pathologies; psychiatric disorders; and life-threatening events such as acute respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. Physicians need to be aware of the management of these conditions in this unusual setting. Chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are common and are at increased risk of acute exacerbation. Physicians must be trained in these conditions and inform their patients about their prevention.

Optimization of the ß LACTA test for the detection of extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase-producing bacteria directly in urine samples.

The ß LACTA™ test (BLT) is a chromogenic test detecting resistance to third-generation cephalosporins on bacterial colonies. Some studies have shown that this test can be used directly in urine samples. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions of use of this test in order to detect the ESBL-producing bacteria directly in urine samples. During a 4-months period, a total of 365 consecutive urine samples were tested with the BLT using the recommendation of the manufacturer. We isolated 56 ESBL-producing bacteria and 17 AmpC-overproducing bacteria. ESBL- and/or AmpC ß-lactamase-producing bacteria isolates were systematically characterized by disc diffusion antibiotic susceptibility testing interpreted according to the guidelines of EUCAST. The sensitivity and the specificity for 3GC-resistance detection, regardless the mechanism of resistance, were, respectively, 60.3% and 100%, whereas for ESBL detection, it was, respectively, 75.4% and 99.7%. We applied then modification of the initial protocol considering urines with a bacteriuria >1000/µL, a reading time at 30 min and considering any change of the initial colour as positive. The overall sensitivity was 81% and the sensitivity for ESBL-detection raised to 95.7%.

What Are the Determinants of Specialized Outpatient and Dental Care Use in Adults With Disabilities Living in Institutions: Findings From a National Survey in France.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the determinants of specialized outpatient care use (general practitioners excluded) in people with disabilities living in institutions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: National health and disability survey. PARTICIPANTS: People (N=2528) living in institutions for adults with cognitive, sensory, and mobility disabilities. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used different measures of disability severity available in the survey: (1) the continuous score of limitations based on a measure we constructed according to self-reported level of difficulty performing 18 tasks without aid; (2) the Katz Index; and (3) the respondent's self-reported perception of functional limitations. Logistic regressions were performed to examine the determinants of the likelihood of having consulted a specialized outpatient care physician or a dentist at least once in the previous year. RESULTS: Of the 2528 individuals, 45% (1141) and 28% (697) had respectively consulted a specialized outpatient care physician or a dentist at least once in the previous year. After adjusting for health care needs, higher functional limitation scores, dependency in all 6 activities of daily living, and self-reported perceptions of severe functional limitations were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of having consulted a specialized outpatient care physician (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], .95 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .94-.96]; AOR, .29 [95% CI, .23-.38]; and AOR, .51 [95% CI, .42-.62], respectively) or a dentist (AOR, .95 [95% CI, .94-.96]; AOR, .29 [95% CI, .21-.39]; AOR, .55 [95% CI, .44-.67], respectively) at least once in the previous year. Being a man, reporting a lack of family support, and having a low socioeconomic status also significantly affected specialized outpatient care use. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the method used to define and measure disability, a high degree of disability negatively affects specialized outpatient care use after adjusting for health care need. Further studies are needed to better understand the reasons why this association between the degree of functional limitation and unmet medical needs is also a reality for people with disabilities living in institutions.