[Predictors of health-care utilization of patients with Crohn's disease: results of a prospective randomized multicenter trial].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to identify predictors of health-care utilization in Crohn's disease.


METHODS
Therefore, data of 499 patients was collected over a 2-year period. A sample of 87 patients was taken and analyzed. Health-care utilization was measured as work disability days and hospital bed days. Sociodemographic, mental as well as somatic variables were used as possible predictors of health-care utilization.


RESULTS
In a linear regression model with work disability days, the variables gender (b = 43.01; p = 0.032) and depressiveness (b = 2.949; p = 0.014) turned out to be significant (R(2) = 0.189). In a linear regression model with hospital bed days, the variables gender (b = 19.863; p = 0.006) and age (b = 0.785; p = 0.029) proved to be significant (R(2) = 0.114). No significant result was found for somatic variables such as severity of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial variables such as depressiveness, gender and age have, therefore, a low but measurable impact on health-care utilization of patients with Crohn's disease. Increased consideration of these variables in clinical practice would not only improve the quality of life of these patients but also reduce health-care utilization.
Burgdorf
Friederike
F
Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeinmedizin, Naturheilkunde, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Charité - Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany. f_burgdorf@web.de
Schreyögg
Jonas
J
Keller
Wolfram
W
von Wietersheim
Jörn
J
Deter
Hans-Christian
HC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data