Left ventricular failure is one of the most common types of heart failure. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of left ventricular failure. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with left ventricular failure were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I5010. The highest national patient numbers were in outpatient care: 2,384 men and 1,685 women, in total 4,069 patients, followed by general practice care (1,229 men and 1,422 women, in total 2,651 patients), and pharmaceuticals (1,024 men and 1,187 women, in total 2,211 patients). Based on patient numbers with regards to pharmaceuticals, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 21.9 patients, among women 23.2 patients, in total 22.6. As regards sex distribution, in outpatient care 58.6% of patients were men and 41.4% were women, in general practice care, 46.4% of patients were men, 53.6% were women, in the use of pharmaceuticals, 46.3% of patients were men, 53.7% were women. Prevalence of left ventricular failure was 1.06 times higher among women than among men. This disease represents a major escalating public health concern in our aging societies.

Developing and developed countries have both seen an increase in the prevalence of cataract. Cataract has a wide spectrum of symptoms which may lead to functional problems and limitations in daily activities of life. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of other cataract. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilization per 100.000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with other cataract were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: H26. The highest national patient numbers were found in use of out-patient care: 22,212 men, 39,545 women, in total 61,757 patients, followed by general practitioner (9,719 men, 16,212 women, in total 25,931 patients), and in-patient care (5,479 men, 8,395 women, in total 13,874 patients). Based on patient numbers related to the utilization of out-patient care, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 475.5 patients, among women 774.4, in total 631.6 patients. Regarding sex, in case of the use of general practicioner care 37.5% were men and 62.5% were women, while in-patient care was 35.97% among men and 64,03% among women. Prevalence of the disease was 1.63-times higher among women than among men. Increase in prevalence may be due to the increased market share of women among the society above 70 years, when the cataract mostly develops.

Morbidity and mortality rates show different patterns in European countries. The aim of the study was to map geographical inequalities in mortality caused by coronavirus (Sars-COV-2) infection in Europe in 2020. In our research the ’COVID deaths by week, 2020 and 2021’ indicator from ’OECD Health Statistics’ online database was analysed. Mortality data reported for weeks were aggregated, and calculated for 1,000,000 population using the Eurostat database on the population number for 2020. European countries were classified and compared according to their geographical location: Western-European, Eastern-European, Mediterranean and Nordic countries. After a preliminary normality test (Shapiro-Wilk test) single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for comparison. Our analysis was carried out at a 95% probability level (p<0.05). SPSS 25.0 software was used for calculations. In Western Europe, an overall 886, Eastern Europe 826, in Mediterranean region 1,083 and in Northern Europe 463 COVID deaths per 1,000,000 population were reported in 2020. In Europe, Belgium (1,725 deaths/1,000,000 population), Slovenia (1,379 deaths/1,000,000 population) and the United Kingdom (1,331 deaths/1,000,000 population) had the highest registered number of death cases, whereas the lowest numbers recorded were in Norway (84/1,000,000), Finland (102/1,000,000) and Estonia (189/1,000,000). Single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not show significant differences among country groups (p=0.119). Our study revealed that overall, the lowest death rates resulting from the coronavirus infection were reported in Northern Europe in proportion to the population. There were no significant differences between the mortality rates of the geographical areas examined.

Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure mean a significant economic burden for society. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of this disease in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I130. In 2018, the NHIFA spent 20.12 million Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with this disease, 74.46 thousand American Dollars (USD), or 63.10 thousand Euros (EUR). 39.6% of costs was spent on the treatment of male, 60.4% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in general practice care: 858 men (38,9%), and 1,350 women (61.1%), in total 2,208 patients. Pharmaceuticals (48.5% of total health insurance costs in men, 41.7% in women), general practice care (35% in men, 34.6% in women) and outpatient care (5,7% in men, 11,4% in women) were the main cost drivers, while all other forms of medical care amounted to 10.8% in men and 12.3% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 10,444 HUF (39 USD/33 EUR) in men and 11,389 HUF (42 USD/36 EUR) in women. Use of the pharmaceuticals was the major cost driver. Major cost drivers showed moderate difference between men and women. No significant difference was found in average annual health insurance costs per patient between the sexes.

The prevalence of heart failure has increased globally during the past decades. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of heart failure, unspecified. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with heart failure, unspecified were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I5090. The highest national patient numbers were in general practice care: 35,353 men and 51,302 women, in total 86,655 patients, followed by the use of pharmaceuticals (31,356 men and 45,993 women, in total 77,349 patients), and outpatient care (15,654 men and 15,425 women, in total 31,079 patients). Based on patient numbers with regards to pharmaceuticals, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 671.2 patients, among women 900.6 patients, in total 791.0. As regards sex distribution, in general practice care 40.8% of patients were men and 59.2% were women, in the use of pharmaceuticals, 40.5% of patients were men, 59.5% were women, in outpatient care 50.4% were men, 49.6% were women. Prevalence of heart failure, unspecified was 1.34 times higher among women than among men. Life expectancy is significantly reduced in heart failure consequently, early diagnosis and adequate therapy are of great importance.

Hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease with an estimated prevalence of nearly 1.5% of the total population and 15-25% of the population over 65 years. It constitutes a major and increasing burden on patients and society. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of hip osteoarthritis. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with hip osteoarthritis were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: M16. The highest national patient numbers were found in outpatient care: 69,311 men, 148,375 women, in total 217,686 patients, followed by general practice care (63,551 men, 138,030 women, in total 201,581 patients), and pharmaceuticals (29,071 men, 68,618 women, in total 97,689 patients). Based on patient numbers relating to acute inpatient care, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 91,9 patients, among women 124,9 in total 109,1 patients. Regarding sex, in outpatient care 31.8 % were men, 68.2 % were women, while in general practice care 31.5 % were men and 68.5 % were women. Prevalence of the disease was 1.36-times higher among women than among men and showed a significant increase with age. Global increase in prevalence is largely attributable to ageing society, increased physical work load and obesity.

Left ventricular failure is associated with significantly reduced quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of left ventricular failure in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with left ventricular failure were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I5010. In 2018, the NHIFA spent 253.09 million Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with left ventricular failure, 936.53 thousand American Dollars (USD), or 793.73 thousand Euros (EUR). 51.4% of costs was spent on the treatment of male, 48.6% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in outpatient care: 2,384 men (58,6%), and 1,685 women (41,4%), in total 4,069 patients. Acute inpatient care (59.2% of total health insurance costs in men, 70.4% in women), outpatient care (30.2% in men, 18.0% in women) and pharmaceuticals (4.8% in men, 4.4% in women) were the main cost drivers, while all other forms of care amounted to 5.8% in men and 7.2% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 318,658 HUF (1,179 USD/999 EUR) in men and 300,207 HUF (1,111 USD/941 EUR) in women. Acute inpatient care was the major cost driver in the treatment of left ventricular failure in Hungary. Major cost drivers showed moderate difference between men and women. No significant difference was found in average annual health insurance costs per patient between the sexes.

Cardiovascular diseases have been the leading causes of death worldwide. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I130. The highest national patient numbers were in general practice care: 858 men and 1,350 women, in total 2,208 patients, followed by the use of pharmaceuticals (762 men and 1,068 women, in total 1,830 patients), and outpatient care (49 men and 144 women, in total 193 patients). Based on patient numbers with regards to pharmaceuticals, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 16.3 patients, among women 20.9 patients, in total 18.7. As regards sex distribution, in general practice care 38.9% of patients were men and 61.1% were women, in the use of pharmaceuticals, 41.6% of patients were men, 58.4% were women, in outpatient care 25.4% were men, 74.6% were women. Prevalence of hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease with heart failure was 1.28 times higher among women than among men. Women should be more in the focus of preventive measures.

Congestive heart failure is a major cause of mortality, morbidity, and decreased quality of life. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of congestive heart failure in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with congestive heart failure were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I5000. In 2018, NHIFA spent 5.82 billion Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure [21.53 million American Dollars (USD), or 18.24 million Euros (EUR)]. 47.8% of costs was spent on the treatment of male, 52.2% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in general practice care: 80,439 men (39.6%), and 122,471 women (60.4%), in total 202,910 patients. Acute inpatient care (60.6% of total health insurance costs in men, 55.5% in women), general practice care (11.8% in men, 15.9% in women) and pharmaceuticals (13% in men, 13.5% in women) were the main cost drivers, while all other forms of care amounted to 14.6% in men and 15.1% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 323,379 HUF (1,197 USD/1,014 EUR) in men and 326,592 HUF (1,208 USD/1,024 EUR) in women. Acute inpatient care was the major cost driver in the treatment of congestive heart failure in Hungary. Major cost drivers showed no significant difference between men and women. No significant difference was found in average annual health insurance costs per patient between the sexes.

Although diabetic complications are associated with higher expenditures, assessing the amount of cases without them is also critical to cost planning. We determined the annual health insurance treatment cost of type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: E1190. In 2018, the NHIFA spent 21.44 billion Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with diabetes without any complications which equals 79.35 million American Dollars (USD), or 67.25 million Euros (EUR). Cost of treatment was spent equally on male (49.5%) and female patients (50.5%). The highest patient numbers were in general practice care: 252,012 men (46.6%), 289,126 women (53.4%), in total 541,138 patients. Pharmaceuticals (74.3% of total health insurance costs in men, 70.2% in women), general practice care (11.0% in men, 12.6% in women) and outpatient care (7.6% in men, 8.5% in women) were the main cost drivers, while all other forms of medical care amounted to 7.0% in men and 8.7% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient (according to pharmaceutical use) was 64,947 HUF (240 USD/204 EUR) in men and 59,995 HUF (222 USD/188 EUR) in women. To avoid further QoL deterioration and the increase of costs due to the development of complications, the number of cases without complications should be monitored, and special attention should be paid to prevention and appropriate treatment.

Mental and behavioural disorders caused by opioid use have a significant public health, social, and economic impact, and is associated with criminal justice involvement. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of mental and behavioural disorders due to use of opioids in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with mental and behavioural disorders due to use of opioids were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: F13. In 2018, the Hungarian NHIFA spent 256.29 million Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with mental and behavioural disorders due to use of opioids, [948.3 thousand American Dollars (USD), or 803.7 thousand Euros (EUR)]. 40.1% of costs was spent on the treatment of male, 59.9% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in outpatient care: 2,219 men (37.0%), 3,780 women (63.0%) in total 5,999 patients. Carers (20.6% of total health insurance costs in men, 21.8% in women), chronic inpatient care (19.1% in men, 13.5% in women) and acute inpatient care (14.9% in men, 13.5% in women) were the main cost drivers. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 45,917 HUF (170 USD/144 EUR) in men and 40,265 HUF (149 USD/126 EUR) in women. Outpatient care was the major cost driver in the treatment of mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol. The average annual health insurance costs per patient was 14% higher in women.

Heart failure, unspecified mean a significant economic burden for society. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of heart failure, unspecified in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with heart failure, unspecified were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: I5090. In 2018, the NHIFA spent 2.45 billion Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with heart failure, unspecified, 9.08 million American Dollars (USD), or 7.69 million Euros (EUR). 49.6% of costs was spent on the treatment of male, 50.4% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in general practice care: 35,353 men (40.8%), and 51,302 women (59.2%), in total 86,655 patients. Acute inpatient care (59.0% of total health insurance costs in men, 54.4% in women), pharmaceuticals (12.8% in men, 14% in women) and general practice care (10.6% in men, 14.7% in women) were the main cost drivers, while all other forms of medical care amounted to 17.6% in men and 17% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 358,540 HUF (1327 USD/1124 EUR) in men and 332,312 HUF (1230 USD/1042 EUR) in women. Acute inpatient care was the major cost driver in the treatment of heart failure, unspecified. Major cost drivers showed no significant difference between men and women. Moderate difference was found in average annual health insurance costs per patient between the sexes.

Challenges of health care systems are about the same throughout the European Union (EU). Besides the aging of health professionals, their replacement is still not fully solved and keeping them is an issue due to work conditions and relatively low income level. Our aim is to map the Hungarian health professional workforce and its proportion relative to the population. Data were derived from the National Healthcare Service Centre (National Data Collection Programme, Nr. 1626). The following professions with higher education were analysed: physicians, specialists, dentists, pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, health visitors, paramedics, nurses, and midwives. We assessed changes in the number of workers per 100,000 people between 2003-2018. Population data were from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The number of professionals per 100,000 people were the highest in specialists (80.0), physicians (37.7) and health visitors (35.8) in 2003. They were still the most in 2018 (specialists: 71.0; physicians 46.1; health visitors: 39.2 per 100,000) among all assessed professions. The largest increase in the number of workers per 100,000 was observed among nurses (+113%) and physiotherapists (+101%), while the number of midwives (-34%), dentists (-26%) declined the most between 2003-2018. Significant differences were observed between professions between 2003-2018. Monitoring changes in healthcare workforce - especially higher educated ones - is extremely important for maintaining stability of health care systems.

Alcohol use is a significant public health concern. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of mental and behavioural disorders related to use of alcohol. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: F10. The highest national patient numbers were found in outpatient care: 40,295 men, 11,594 women, in total 51,889 patients, followed by general practice care (21,948 men, 5,400 women, in total 27,348 patients), and use of pharmaceuticals (11,052 men, 3,125 women, in total 14,177 patients). Based on patient numbers relating to outpatient care, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 862,6 patients, among women 227,0, in total 530,7 patients. Regarding sex, in case of outpatient care 77.7 % were men, 22.3 % were women, while in general practice care 80.3 % were men and 19.7 % were women. Prevalence of the disease was 3.8-times higher among men than among women. Prevention plays a considerable role in reducing alcohol use. Effective prevention measures target the individual, and include complex strategies at the level of healthcare and that of the society as well.

The high number of patients with other cataract means a significant burden for the society as well. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of other cataract in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with other cataract were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: H26. In 2018, the Hungarian NHIFA spent more than 3,19 billion Hungarian Forints (HUF) on treatment of patients with other cataract, [11.82 million American Dollars (USD), or 10.02 million Euros (EUR). 38.88% of costs were spent on the treatment of male, while 61.12% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in use of outpatient care: 22,212 men (35.97%), and 39,545 women (64.03%) in total 61,757 patients. Inpatient care (87.56% of total health insurance costs in men, 85.79% in women), outpatient care (9.78% in men, 11.16% in women) and general practitioner (1.31% in men, 1.42% in women) were the main cost drivers, while all other forms of medical care amounted to 1.34% in men and 1.64% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 55,950 HUF (207 USD/175 EUR) in men and 49,411 HUF (183 USD/155 EUR) in women. Inpatient care was the major cost driver in the treatment of other cataract primarily. Major cost drivers showed a moderate difference between men and women. The average annual health insurance costs per patient was 13% higher among men.

Injuries to the knee and lower leg cause a significant burden for the individual and society. Our aim was to determine the annual health insurance treatment cost of knee and lower leg injuries in Hungary. Data were derived from the financial database of the NHIFA, for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual health insurance costs, patient numbers and cost distribution calculated for age groups and sex. The following cost categories were included into the study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical aids. Patients with knee and lower leg injuries were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: S80-89. In 2018, the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration spent 8.808 billion Hungarian Forints (HUF) on the treatment of patients with knee and lower leg injuries [32.59 million American Dollars (USD), or 27.62 million Euros (EUR)]. 52.0% of costs was spent on the treatment of male, while 48.0% on female patients. The highest patient numbers were in outpatient care: 106,058 men (50%), and 106,234 women (50%), in total 212,292 patients. Acute inpatient care (62.6% of total health insurance costs in men, 60.1% in women), outpatient care (22.1% in men, 22.7% in women) and medical aids (6.5% in men, 5.5% in women) were the main cost drivers, all other forms of medical care amounted to 8.8% in men, 11.7% in women. Annual health care treatment cost per patient was 43,203 HUF (160 USD/135 EUR) in men and 39,784 HUF (147 USD/125 EUR) in women. Acute inpatient care was the major cost driver. There was no significant difference in major cost drivers between men and women. Average, annual health insurance costs per patient was 8.5% higher in men than in women.

Femoral neck fracture is one of the most common type of fractures in the elderly resulting from falls. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological disease burden of femoral neck fracture. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with femoral neck fracture were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: S7200. The highest national patient numbers were in outpatient care: 4,261 men and 9,338 women, in total 13,599 patients, followed by general practice care (2,234 men and 5,044 women, in total 7,278), and acute inpatient care (2,082 men and 4,780 women, in total 6,862). Based on patient numbers of acute in-patient care, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 44.6 patients, among women 93.6 patients, in total 70.2. Average age of patients in acute inpatient care was 76.3 years, there was a significant difference (5.9 years) between men (72.1 years) and women (78.1 years). As regards sex distribution in outpatient care: 31.3% of patients were men, 68.7% were women, in acute inpatient care men accounted for 30.3%, women for 69.7% of patients. Prevalence of femoral neck fracture was 2.1-times higher among women than among men. Average age of women was 5.9 years higher than that of men. Higher patient numbers among women and their higher age was due to the high proportion of affected women suffering from osteoporosis.

Scoliosis mainly affects children and adolescents. Patients may experience severe pain in the neck, back and lower extremities if the curvature progresses. Early diagnosis and treatment are of pivotal importance. The aim of our study was to determine the epidemiological burden of scoliosis. Data were derived from the financial database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA), for the year 2018. Data analysed included annual patient numbers, case numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100,000 population according to age groups and sex. The following health insurance treatment categories were included into our study: general practice care, home care, in- and outpatient care, medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, drugs and medical aids. Patients with scoliosis were identified with the following code of the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision: M41. The highest national patient numbers were in outpatient care: 39,418 men and 82,851 women, in total 122,269 patients, followed by general practice care (24,427 men and 37,914 women, in total 62,341 patients), and use of medical aids (3,291 men and 7,738 women, in total 11,029). Based on patient numbers in outpatient care, prevalence in 100,000 among men was 843.8 patients, among women 1,622.4 patients, in total 1,250.4. Average age of patients in outpatient care was 43.1 years, there was a significant difference (10.6 years) between men (35.9 years) and women (46.5 years). As regards sex distribution in outpatient care: 32.2% of patients were men, 67.8% were women, in the use of medical aids men accounted for 29.8%, women for 70.2% of patients. Prevalence of scoliosis was 1.9-times higher among women than among men. Average age of women was 10.6 years higher than that of men. High patient numbers found in the use of medical aids was due to the therapeutic importance of corsettes.