TY - JOUR T1 - Chronic diseases in the paediatric population: Comorbidities and use of primary care services JO - Anales de Pediatría (English Edition) T2 - AU - Barrio Cortes,Jaime AU - Suárez Fernández,Carmen AU - Bandeira de Oliveira,Mariana AU - Muñoz Lagos,Cristina AU - Beca Martínez,María Teresa AU - Lozano Hernández,Cristina AU - del Cura González,Isabel SN - 23412879 M3 - 10.1016/j.anpede.2019.12.006 DO - 10.1016/j.anpede.2019.12.006 UR - https://analesdepediatria.org/en-chronic-diseases-in-paediatric-population-articulo-S2341287920301319 AB - IntroductionAdjusted morbidity groups (AMG) are being used in the stratification of chronic patients in Primary Care (PC). The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics, prevalence of comorbidities, and use of PC services by chronic paediatric patients as well as to analyse factors associated with the weight of complexity according to AMG. Patients and methodsA cross-sectional study conducted on patients < 18 years-old from a basic health area, classified as chronic according to the AMG of the Madrid Primary Care computerised clinical records. Sociodemographic and clinical-care variables were collected, as well as the use of services in PC. Univariate, bivariate and linear regression analysis were performed. ResultsA total of 2961 patients < 18 years were included, of whom 423 (15.7%) were identified as chronic, and 408 (96.5%) were low risk patients. Their mean age was 9.5 (SD = 4.7) years, and 54.1% were male. The mean of chronic diseases was 1.1 (SD = 0.4) and 11.3% had multiple morbidity. The most prevalent diseases were asthma (6.1%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (1.8%), and obesity (1.4%). The mean number of visits to the paediatrician was 4.9 (SD = 6.3). Age < 5 years-old (Coefficient B [CB] = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1, 3.1), number of chronic diseases (CB = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1; 2.1), and annual contacts with PC (CB = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.06; 0.11) were associated with greater complexity weight. ConclusionsA significant number of patients with chronic diseases were found in the paediatric population. The most prevalent diseases were asthma, ADHD, and obesity. The use of PC services was high. The greatest complexity corresponded to nursing and pre-school age, multiple morbidity, and higher number of contact with PC. ER -