内分泌専門医の地域分布と先天性甲状腺機能低下症の患者数に関する論文

2010年06月29日(火) 15:56

Time Trend and Geographic Distribution of Treated Patients with Congenital Hypothyroidism Relative to the Number of Available Endocrinologists in Japan

Yan-Hong Gu MD, PhD , Tadaaki Kato MD, PhD, Shohei Harada MD, PhD, Hiroaki Inomata MD and Kikumaro Aoki MD

The Journal of Pediatrics　Volume 157, Issue 1, July 2010, Pages 153-157

ObjectiveTo investigate the time trend and geographic distribution of treated patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and explore their possible relationship to the availability of endocrinologists in Japan.Study designThe 2-source capture-recapture method was used to estimate the total number of patients. The ratio of the total estimated number of patients with CH to the number of endocrinologists and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated. Curve fitting for changes in incidence or prevalence was estimated.ResultsThe incidence and prevalence of CH exhibited upward trends, with linear slopes of increase during the period 1994-2002. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the prevalence of CH and the ratio of the number of patients with CH to the number of endocrinologists in the 10 regions studied. The prevalence of CH was significantly higher in the regions with a higher ratio of patients with CH to endocrinologists, and also in younger patients.ConclusionsA shortage of endocrinologists may be one reason for the upward trend in the incidence and prevalence of treated patients with CH. <!-- articleText --> Abbreviations: Aiiku, Aiiku Maternal and Child Health Center, Tokyo; CH, Congenital hypothyroidism; CI, Confidence interval; CRM, Capture-recapture method; MAPChD, Medical Aid Program for Chronic Pediatric Diseases of Specified Categories

「論文」一覧に戻る