Studies from University of La Frontera Add New Findings in the Area of Heart Attack (Effective universal health coverage and improved 1-year survival…

Studies from University of La Frontera Add New Findings in the Area of Heart Attack (Effective universal health coverage and improved 1-year survival after acute myocardial infarction: the Chilean experience)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Researchers detail new data in Heart Disorders and Diseases. According to news reporting originating in Temuco, Chile, by VerticalNews journalists, research stated, "In 2005, Chile implemented a universal system of health guarantees (AUGE) aimed at improving equitable access to quality medical care for priority health conditions, including acute myocardial infarction (MI). To evaluate 1-year survival in MI patients before and after AUGE."

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the University of La Frontera, "Retrospective cohorts of patients with MI (with and without ST segment elevation) discharged alive from six public hospitals between January 2001-June 2005 (pre-AUGE) and July 2008-March 2009 (post-AUGE). Chilean national mortality and MI Registry (hospital-based) databases were linked using a unique identification number (ICD-10 codes I00-I99 were used to identify cardiovascular deaths). One-year survival was assessed using Weibull multivariate regression. About 1867 patients were discharged alive pre-AUGE and 534 post-AUGE; 25% were women in both periods. When comparing pre-AUGE and post-AUGE, there was an increase in the use of primary and elective angioplasty (1.7 vs 23.6% and 7.3 vs 20.0%), beta-blockers (62 vs 71%) and statins (40 vs 90%); P< 0.001 all. One-year survival was 92% pre-AUGE (95% CI: 91-93%) and 96% post-AUGE (95% CI: 94-97%) (HR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31-0.82; P = 0.003). The post-AUGE improvement persisted after adjusting for variables associated with long-term case-fatality (HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Percutaneous coronary intervention (HR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.09-0.99) and statins use at discharge (HR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.31-0.66) had the highest effects associated with lower case-fatality and both treatments increased in the post-AUGE period."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "The implementation of AUGE in Chile appears to have contributed to improved treatment of MI in public hospitals and increased 1-year survival, which is consistent with its aim to improve access to quality medical care and to reduce health inequities."

For more information on this research see: Effective universal health coverage and improved 1-year survival after acute myocardial infarction: the Chilean experience. Health Policy and Planning, 2016;31(6):700-705. Health Policy and Planning can be contacted at: Oxford Univ Press, Great Clarendon St, Oxford OX2 6DP, England. (Oxford University Press - www.oup.com/; Health Policy and Planning - heapol.oxfordjournals.org)

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting C. Nazzal, Univ La Frontera, Fac Med, Dept. of Internal Med, Temuco, Chile. Additional authors for this research include P. Frenz, F.T. Alonso and F. Lanas.

Keywords for this news article include: Temuco, Chile, South America, Heart Disorders and Diseases, Myocardial Infarction, Myocardial Ischemia, Vascular Diseases, Health Insurance, Heart Disease, Heart Attack, Hospital, University of La Frontera.

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