Preliminary analysis of the Respiratory Disease, based on Hospital Discharge Records, in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.

BACKGROUND: The hospital discharge records (HDRs), integrated by other electronic health archives, besides some contra, can be a valuable and low-cost tool for monitoring public health.

METHODS: Throughout a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed all hospitalizations in ordinary regime from the HDRs database of the residents in the province of L'Aquila, with the exception of day hospital, rehabilitation and long-hospital stay between 2008 and 2013, with a principal diagnosis of respiratory disease of 460 to 519, according to the ICD-9-CM. We calculated number and standard hospitalization rate (SHR) for respiratory diseases in groups of diagnoses: Pneumonia, Asthma, COPD and Respiratory Insufficiency, Other diseases in the general population in the pediatric population and the over 65s, in the Province of L'Aquila and in the three areas of L'Aquila, Marsica and Peligno-Sangrina.

RESULTS: We observed different trends in SHRs in the different areas and for some of the different groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Diverse possible causes of the different trends are discussed, with a specific focus on a possible relation with the earthquake of the 6th April 2009, since coherent with the related scientific literature.