International Journal of Public Health (Sep 2024)

Lower Healthcare Access and Its Association With Individual Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Rare Diseases in Switzerland

  • Susanne Wehrli,
  • Susanne Wehrli,
  • Susanne Wehrli,
  • Andrew A. Dwyer,
  • Andrew A. Dwyer,
  • Matthias R. Baumgartner,
  • Matthias R. Baumgartner,
  • Carmen Lehmann,
  • Markus A. Landolt,
  • Markus A. Landolt,
  • Markus A. Landolt

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2024.1607548
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 69

Abstract

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ObjectivesThis study aims to determine clusters of access to healthcare among adults with rare diseases in Switzerland, identify associated individual characteristics of access, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).MethodsSwiss adults (N = 341) diagnosed with a rare disease completed an online survey including the Perception of Access to Healthcare Questionnaire (PAHQ) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). We employed partition around medoids algorithm to identify patient clusters based on the PAHQ. Various sociodemographic/disease-related factors and HRQoL were assessed.ResultsWe identified two patient clusters: higher (n = 227) and lower access (n = 114). Significantly associated with lower access were an unstable disease course (p < 0.05), increased number of misdiagnoses (p < 0.05), and diseases affecting the nervous system (p < 0.01). Membership in the lower access cluster was significantly associated with worse HRQoL (p < 0.05).ConclusionFindings highlight the need for comprehensive assessment of healthcare access in adults with rare diseases and identifies potential targets for tailored interventions.

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