Cystic fibrosis patient characteristics and healthcare resource utilization in Finland using linked registries

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of prevalence and epidemiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) and healthcare resource use among Finnish people with CF is incomplete. Methods: We conducted a population-based matched cohort study using retrospective real-world data from linked Finnish national registries. Electronic healthcare data and drug purchases of 102 people with CF were analyzed between January 2015 and December 2019 (follow-up). A 5-fold control population was matched by sex, age, and place of residence. Comorbidities and medication use that occurred at any time during follow-up were assessed; annual rates of hospital service use were adjusted for follow-up. Results: The prevalence of CF in Finland was 1.85 per 100,000. Median age at diagnosis was 1 year, with 60 % diagnosed at age 30 times higher in people with CF than matched controls.

Keywords

• Cystic fibrosis
• healthcare resource use
• Finland
• Retrospective registry study
• Matched cohort study