Assessing the Burden of Chronic Disease among the Uninsured of Tampa Bay

01-22-2018 21:55

Chronic disease is a major public health problem in the United States. Limited studies have examined the burden of chronic conditions among patients visiting free clinics. In this study we examined prevalence and associated factors of 10 common chronic conditions [hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, depression, arthritis, asthma, cancer, substance abuse, coronary artery diseases (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] among patients of free clinics. Patient charts were reviewed between January and December 2015. Data on chronic condition and sociodemographic variables were abstracted. Proportion for prevalence, and using logistic regression adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between participant characteristics and chronic conditions were estimated. Prevalence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia significantly differed by the site of clinic, age, gender, race and marital status. Compared to age 15-44 years, older participants (45-64 years, and ≥65) were (5-10) times more likely to suffer from hypertension. Compared to women, men; compared to White, African Americans; and compared to single, married patients had higher prevalence of hypertension. Older participants were (5-8) times more likely to suffer from hyperlipidemia. Asians, and married patients were also more likely to experience hyperlipidemia. Prevalence of diabetes, depression and arthritis significantly differed by age and race. Older participants, African Americans and Asians were more likely to suffer from diabetes. In contrast, Hispanics were less likely to suffer from depression, and men were less likely to suffer from arthritis. Prevalence of CAD and COPD increased (6-13) folds among older age groups. Visitors of free clinic suffer from higher burden of chronic conditions compared to general population. Patients who frequent these clinics are mainly older, unemployed, women, and more often minorities and having low income.

Author(s):Yeshuwa Mayers , Shikerria Green, Abu-Sayeef Mirza,  Elhaam Iranmanesh, Jennifer Stenback, Paul Francois, Norah Mubarak, Kaosi Okeke, Christopher Zeiro, Laurie Woodard
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