Comparative Burden of Illness: An Analysis of Symptom Incidence and Health Service Utilization by Major Disease
Questions:
To assess and compare the burden of selected major diseases (e.g. right heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, treatment-resistant depression) based on:
- The incidence of specific symptoms (e.g. dyspnea, chest pain, and cough) post diagnosis.
- Service utilization rates, specifically emergency room visits and inpatient services, after the index date.
Sub-questions:
- What is the differences in incidence of the specified symptoms and service utilization compared to others?
- Are there discernible trends in symptom incidence and service utilization across calendar years for each disease?
- How does the burden of disease differ by gender and across age groups?
- Are these rates in line with any expected published rates.
Justification: Understanding the variability in symptom incidence and service utilization by disease can provide insights into the differential burden these diseases impose on patients and the healthcare system. This knowledge can help policymakers, allowing for more informed decisions about resource allocation, tailored interventions, and research prioritization to mitigate the impact of these diseases.