Ambulatory Care Visits for Digestive Diseases

摘要

Digestive diseases were the first-listed diagnosis in 69% of the 104 million ambulatory care visits made in 2004, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Analysis by Age: More than one-half of ambulatory care visits for gastrointestinal (GI) infections occurred in patients aged <15 years (1,930/100,000), a rate four times higher than in other age groups. Hepatitis B (HepB) visits were higher among those aged 15-44 years (306/100,000) and 45-64 years (392/100,000). Of the 1.5 million visits for peptic ulcer disease (PUD), the rate increased with age: a 78% increase between ages 15-44 years and 45-64 years, and a 116% increase between ages 45-64 years and ≥65 years. Except for patients aged <15 years (3,497/100,000), the number of visits for chronic constipation increased with age: by 42% between ages 15-44 years and 45-64 years, and 193% between ages 45-64 years and ≥65 years. For diverticular disease, visits in patients aged >65 years surpassed those in patients aged 45-64 years by 165%. Visits for liver disease were highest at ages 45-64 years (1,944/100,000).