Different impact of respiratory symptoms on health care consumption and daily life in Finland, Estonia and Sweden

Abstract

Background Respiratory symptoms are common among adults, but there is limited research describing their impact on daily life and association with health care consumption. Aim To estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among adults in Finland, Estonia and Sweden in relation to health care consumption, and to assess how respiratory symptoms affect daily life. Methods In the population-based FinEsS-studies consisting of random samples aged 20-69y in Finland (n=1337), Estonia (n=1346) and Sweden (n=1953) data on demographics, respiratory health and health care consumption were collected by structured interviews. Results Respiratory symptoms were significantly more common in Finland (66.0%) and Estonia (65.2%) than in Sweden (54.1%); p 25 increased the risk for outpatient care consumption. Among respiratory symptoms wheeze and attacks of shortness of breath yielded the highest risk for health care consumption. A larger proportion of subjects in Estonia and Sweden reported that their daily life was affected by respiratory symptoms compared to subjects in Finland. Conclusions Respiratory symptoms are common and contribute to a negative impact on daily life as well as increased health care consumption. The observed differences in health care consumption between countries may be related to national differences in health care structure.