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Babesiosis Occurrence among the Elderly in the United States, as Recorded in Large Medicare Databases during 2006-2013.

Babesiosis Occurrence among the Elderly in the United States, as Recorded in Large Medicare Databases during 2006-2013.

Authors :
Mikhail Menis
Richard A Forshee
Sanjai Kumar
Stephen McKean
Rob Warnock
Hector S Izurieta
Rahul Gondalia
Chris Johnson
Paul D Mintz
Mark O Walderhaug
Christopher M Worrall
Jeffrey A Kelman
Steven A Anderson
Source :
PLoS ONE, Vol 10, Iss 10, p e0140332 (2015)
Publication Year :
2015
Publisher :
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2015.

Abstract

BackgroundHuman babesiosis, caused by intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites, can be an asymptomatic or mild-to-severe disease that may be fatal. The study objective was to assess babesiosis occurrence among the U.S. elderly Medicare beneficiaries, ages 65 and older, during 2006-2013.MethodsOur retrospective claims-based study utilized large Medicare administrative databases. Babesiosis occurrence was ascertained by recorded ICD-9-CM diagnosis code. The study assessed babesiosis occurrence rates (per 100,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries) overall and by year, age, gender, race, state of residence, and diagnosis months.ResultsA total of 10,305 elderly Medicare beneficiaries had a recorded babesiosis diagnosis during the eight-year study period, for an overall rate of about 5 per 100,000 persons. Study results showed a significant increase in babesiosis occurrence over time (pConclusionOur study reveals increasing babesiosis occurrence among the U.S. elderly during 2006-2013, with highest rates in the babesiosis-endemic states. The study also shows variation in babesiosis occurrence by age, gender, race, state of residence, and diagnosis months. Overall, our study highlights the importance of large administrative databases in assessing the occurrence of emerging infections in the United States.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
10
Issue :
10
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6898cf4314f421fa6f1d17808da63bd
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140332