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Open Access 01-03-2022 | Care | Original Article

Is there an unmet medical need for palliative care services in Germany? Incidence, prevalence, and 1-year all-cause mortality of palliative care sensitive conditions: real-world evidence based on German claims data

Authors: H. Gothe, C. Brinkmann, N. Schmedt, J. Walker, C. Ohlmeier

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Aim

To characterize palliative care patients, to estimate the incidence, prevalence, and 1-year all-cause mortality in patients in Germany who received palliative care treatment.

Subject and methods

The study analyzed the InGef Research Database, which covers 4 million people insured in German statutory health insurance companies. Specific outpatient and inpatient reimbursement codes were used to capture cases with palliative conditions. The prevalence was ascertained for the year 2015. The incidence was calculated for patients without documented palliative care services in the year before the observation period. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to analyze the 1-year all-cause mortality.

Results

The incidence rate of palliative conditions was 41.3 and 34.9 per 10,000 persons in women and men, respectively. The prevalence per 10,000 persons was 61.3 in women and 51.1 in men. The 1-year all-cause mortality among patients receiving their first palliative care treatment was 67.5%. Mortality was lower in patients receiving general outpatient palliative care treatment (AAPV; 60.8%) compared to patients receiving specialized outpatient palliative care treatment (SAPV; 86.1%) or inpatient palliative care treatment (90.6%). Within the first 30 days, mortality was particularly high (~43.0%).

Conclusions

In Germany, more than 400,000 patients per year receive palliative care treatment, which is lower compared to estimates of the number of persons with a potential need for palliative care. This gap was observed particularly in younger to middle-aged individuals. The findings indicate a demand for methodologically sound studies to investigate the public health burden and to quantify the unmet need for palliative care in Germany.

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Title: Is there an unmet medical need for palliative care services in Germany? Incidence, prevalence, and 1-year all-cause mortality of palliative care sensitive conditions: real-world evidence based on German claims data
Authors: H. Gothe
C. Brinkmann
N. Schmedt
J. Walker
C. Ohlmeier
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Care
Outpatient Palliative Care
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01319-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Is there an unmet medical need for palliative care services in Germany? Incidence, prevalence, and 1-year all-cause mortality of palliative care sensitive conditions: real-world evidence based on German claims data

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusions

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