Jobst Augustin

Epidemiologie der Psoriasis in Deutschland – Auswertung von Sekundärdaten einer gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung

BACKGROUND In Germany, population-based data on the epidemiology of psoriasis are still rare. This study aims to assess the prevalence of psoriasis in the total population as well as for subgroups relevant to health care. As further epidemiological parameters the severity and regional distribution of psoriasis were analysed. METHODS A secondary analysis of data collected routinely for the members of a nationwide statutory health insurance company was conducted. Prevalences were calculated for a closed cohort of continuously insured persons in 2005. Defined criteria for the existence of psoriasis were at least one diagnoses of psoriasis (ICD-10) relating to ambulatory or hospital treatment or disability. RESULTS 33,981 of the 1,344,071 continuously insured persons in 2005 were diagnosed with psoriasis, thus the one-year-prevalence in this cohort was 2.53%. Up to the age of 80 years the prevalence rate was increasing with increasing age and highest for the age groups from 50 to 79 years (range: 3.99-4.18%). Insured persons up to 20 years had a prevalence of 0.73%. Regional differences showed up after stratification for broad categories (1 digit) of ZIP codes: Lowest prevalence rates were seen in the south (2.17%) and highest (2.78%) in the north and western regions of Germany. CONCLUSIONS If the prevalence rate of 2.5% assessed in this study is applied to the total resident population, 2 million people are treated because of psoriasis in Germany. Routine data from health insurance companies are a relevant and suitable data source to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases (under medical treatment) in the population.

Does climate change affect the incidence of skin and allergic diseases in Germany

Background: Skin diseases have great socio‐economic importance in Germany due to their high and in some cases still‐increasing prevalence. Little attention has yet been paid to the influence of the change in climate on these diseases.

Analysis of patients’ willingness to be mobile, taking into account individual characteristics and two exemplary indications: Patients‘ willingness to be mobile

With respect to health care planning, it is commonly assumed that patients consult the nearest physician. In reality, however, patients frequently accept greater efforts/expenses than necessary to see a physician. The objective of the present study was to determine under which circumstances patients were willing to accept additional efforts/expenses, and which role sociodemographic and clinical characteristics play in this regard.

Regionale fachärztliche Versorgung und demographischer Wandel in Deutschland - Szenarien zur dermatologischen Versorgung im Jahr 2035: Dermatologischer Versorgungsgrad in 2035

Mithilfe der Bedarfsplanungsrichtlinie des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses soll die medizinische Versorgung in Deutschland flächendeckend sichergestellt werden. Kalkulatorische Größe zur Abbildung der räumlichen Versorgungssituation ist der „korrigierte Versorgungsgrad“. Vor dem Hintergrund des demographischen Wandels und bereits heute existenter Wiederbesetzungsschwierigkeiten steht die Frage, wie sich die dermatologische Versorgung kleinräumig entwickeln wird.

Regional healthcare delivery and demographic change in Germany - scenarios for dermatological care in 2035: Dermatological care 2035

The ‘demand planning guidelines’ issued by the Federal Joint Committee are meant to ensure nationwide delivery of healthcare in Germany. The calculatory variable used to reflect the actual care situation in relation to a given geographical entity is referred to as ‘adjusted supply rate’. Against the backdrop of demographic change and already existing problems in replacing retiring physicians, the question arises as to how future dermatological care will evolve at the regional level.

Analyse der Mobilitätsbereitschaft von Patienten unter Berücksichtigung individueller Merkmale und zweier Beispielindikationen: Mobilitätsbereitschaft von Patienten

In der Versorgungsplanung wird davon ausgegangen, dass Patienten den nächstgelegenen Arzt aufsuchen. Die Praxis zeigt jedoch, dass beim Arztbesuch oftmals ein höherer Aufwand in Kauf genommen wird, als notwendig. Es soll der Frage nachgegangen werden, unter welchen Umständen ein Patient einen Mehraufwand in Kauf nimmt und welchen Einfluss soziodemographische und klinische Merkmale haben.

Methods of analyzing regional dermatological care as exemplified by the city of Hamburg

The rural‐urban divide is often linked to regional inequalities in healthcare. However, studies have also shown regional healthcare disparities within urban areas. To evaluate these studies, further parameters such as accessibility must be added to the standard criteria. The objective of this study was to present methodic tools for evaluating dermatological healthcare provision in Hamburg, primarily focusing on accessibility.