Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2021, Pages 105 - 116

Coexisting Conditions among Children and Adolescents with Cancer in a Section of the South African Private Health Sector: Perspectives from Drug Utilization Data

Authors
Marianne N. OtooORCID, Martie S. LubbeORCID, Hanlie SteynORCID, Johanita R. Burger*, ORCID
Medicine Usage in South Africa (MUSA), Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
*Corresponding author. Email: Johanita.Burger@nwu.ac.za
Corresponding Author
Johanita R. Burger
Received 22 November 2019, Accepted 4 October 2020, Available Online 3 November 2020.
DOI
10.2991/jegh.k.201026.001How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Children; adolescent; coexisting condition; South Africa; medicine utilization patterns; childhood cancer
Abstract

Coexisting conditions are relatively common in children with cancer, however, there is a paucity of information on the prevalence of coexisting conditions in children with cancer in South Africa. This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the common coexisting conditions occurring in children and adolescents younger than 19 years undergoing cancer chemotherapy in a section of the South African private health sector. Medicine claims data from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017 were queried to identify coexisting conditions using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes indicated on reimbursed claims. Where ICD-10 codes per claim were non-specific, the pharmacological drug classes of non-cytotoxic medications claimed alongside these codes were categorized using the Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) classification system and analyzed using the drug utilization 90% (DU90%) principle. Analysis of sub-pharmacologic drug classes was stratified according to gender and age groups. The reimbursement category of these medicines was noted. Data were analyzed descriptively. A total of 173 participants were included in the study. ICD-10 codes were available for 13.65% (N = 2631) of medicine claims. Diseases of the respiratory system (J00–J99, 7.15%), gastrointestinal tract (K00–K95, 1.60%), and skin disorders (L00–L99, 0.95%) were the most prevalent specific diagnoses identified. Non-specific ICD-10 codes were recorded on 86.35% (n = 2272) of non-cytotoxic medicine claims. The most frequently utilized pharmacological classes of medications included antimicrobial agents (17.40%), respiratory system agents (13.91%), and analgesics (10.64%). As determined from ICD-10 codes and medication claimed on reimbursed claims, children and adolescents being treated for cancers mostly suffered from acute conditions, in particular, microbial infections and diseases of the respiratory system. This indicates the need for the integration of antimicrobial surveillance programs into childhood and adolescent cancer care to curb antimicrobial infections.

Copyright
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
11 - 1
Pages
105 - 116
Publication Date
2020/11/03
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.2991/jegh.k.201026.001How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Marianne N. Otoo
AU  - Martie S. Lubbe
AU  - Hanlie Steyn
AU  - Johanita R. Burger
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/11/03
TI  - Coexisting Conditions among Children and Adolescents with Cancer in a Section of the South African Private Health Sector: Perspectives from Drug Utilization Data
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 105
EP  - 116
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/jegh.k.201026.001
DO  - 10.2991/jegh.k.201026.001
ID  - Otoo2020
ER  -