英文摘要 |
Objectives. Bronchiectasis is an inflammatory disease that is caused by the destruction of muscle and elastic tissue, which leads to infection or irreversible dilation of part of the bronchial tree, and may result in chronic airflow obstruction and impaired clearance of secretions. Bronchiectasis is associated with a wide range of disorders. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics and trends of bronchiectasis and its related admission rates in Taiwan. Methods. This study is based on data obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) for the years of 1998-2008. Data was extracted from admission data of patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis for either primary or the secondary diagnosis (ICD-9-CM code 494). Results. Results indicated that the overall average rate of bronchiectasis-associated hospitalizations (B-AH) was approximately 15 person-times per 100,000 in male patients and 20 person-times per 100,000 female patients. Although current rates of hospitalization for bronchiectasis are higher among women and the elderly, this trend seems to be gradually declining. Conclusions. Our analysis of bronchiectasis hospitalization rate trends in Taiwan according to gender and age was consistent with those of Europe and the United States of America. Females and the elderly have higher admission rates than those of other patient groups. Admission rates of bronchiectasis-related diseases among Taiwanese of both genders and all age groups were still higher than those in the U.S.A. Moreover, when comparing diagnosis rates of bronchiectasis-related diseases in Taiwan to those of Europe and the U.S., we found Taiwan to have a higher rate of bronchiectasis as the primary diagnosis. These divergences are worthy of further attention and study. |