Geographical and socioeconomic differences in compliance with and access to allergen immunotherapy in Denmark: A nationwide registry-based study – 1998-2016 - 27/02/21
, Anders Løkke b, Ole Hilberg bAbstract |
Background |
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a cost-effective treatment option in moderate-severe allergic rhino-conjunctivitis. Inequality in access to AIT and variation in compliance related to socioeconomic status or geographical location have not been described previously.
Objective |
The aim of the study was to evaluate access to grass pollen AIT at various educational attainment levels in the five regions of Denmark. Furthermore, grass pollen AIT treatment compliance was evaluated with respect to age, educational attainment and geographical area.
Methods |
The unique civil registration number of every citizen in Denmark was combined with the nationwide Danish National Health Service Prescription Database and Statistics Denmark Database to extract age, gender, residence and educational attainment of every citizen who collected prescribed AIT medication from 1998 to 2016. Then, compliance and use of AIT were calculated with respect to age, geographical location and educational attainment.
Results |
The use of subcutaneous AIT (SCIT) was significantly higher in the Capital Region; this difference was less predominant for sublingual AIT (SLIT). People who were educated only to primary school or vocational training levels were less frequent users of AIT. Compliance was especially low in the Capital Region and among people educated only to primary school level. In the age groups, compliance was similar, apart from SLIT users aged 0–9, for whom compliance was higher.
Conclusion |
This nationwide study finds that SLIT has the potential to reduce inequality in access to AIT. A focus intervention is needed to facilitate access to and compliance with AIT in groups with lower socioeconomic status.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | The study finds inequality in access to AIT. |
• | AIT is less used in rural regions and people with lower educational attainment. |
• | Regions with easy access to AIT and patients with lower educational attainment have the lowest compliance. |
• | SLIT has the potential to reduce inequality in access to AIT. |
• | A special effort is needed to facilitate access and use of AIT in lower socioeconomic groups. |
Keywords : Allergen immunotherapy, Socioeconomic difference, Compliance, Rural population, Urban population
Plan
Vol 178
Article 106332- mars 2021 Retour au numéro
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