ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Recent French data describing real-life compression stocking use are lacking. This study aimed to describe the actual situation for patients who were prescribed compression stockings by their general practitioner and to assess annual treatment costs from a societal perspective. METHODS: A retrospective analysis using Disease Analyzer database data from 6349 adults with at least one compression stocking prescription between July 2009 and June 2010. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 58 years, and 72.3% of patients were women. Seven out of 10 patients received only a single compression stocking prescription over one year. The estimated mean annual per patient cost was 152.2 ± 100.7 Euros. CONCLUSION: Most patients received only a single compression stocking prescription during one year. General practitioners prescribing compression stockings more often may have a better understanding of venous disease and may manage their patients differently. Although more expensive, this approach may be one which should be accepted more widely.
Subject(s)
Databases, Factual , Primary Health Care/economics , Stockings, Compression/economics , Adult , Aged , Costs and Cost Analysis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , France , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Primary Health Care/methods , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Limited information is available concerning the prevalence and risk factors of xerosis in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To establish the prevalence of xerosis and associated factors in elderly patients. METHODS: A national, multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study in patients aged 65 or older was performed. The data collected by general practitioners were demographics and medical history, including history of atopic disease. Xerosis was evaluated using the Overall Dry Skin score. RESULTS: 756 patients were included. The prevalence of xerosis was 55.6%. Xerosis was significantly associated with older age (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.16-1.89), female sex (OR: 1.80, 95 CI%: 1.29-2.53), treatments that can potentially cause xerosis (OR: 2.21, 95 CI%: 1.54-3.17), itching during sweating (OR: 7.11, 95% CI: 3.90-12.95), a history of dry skin (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.65-5.08) and a history of atopic dermatitis (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.99-6.52). CONCLUSION: Xerosis is highly prevalent in the elderly. A history of atopy, especially atopic dermatitis, is associated with an increased risk of xerosis in the elderly.
