Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Regional and socioeconomic disparities in the diagnosis of primary electrical diseases in a universal healthcare system: a nationwide Danish study
- nationwide registry-based study
- sex- and age-matched individuals in the background population
Authors' conclusion
Even within a universal healthcare system, geographic and systemic factors contribute to disparities in the diagnosis and management of PED. Differences in proximity to specialized clinics, regional referral practices, and treatment patterns may influence detection and care. Targeted strategies to improve awareness, referral pathways, and equitable access are needed to optimize diagnosis, management, and SCD prevention.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals diagnosed with primary electrical diseases (PED) (long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia) between 2007 and 2024 in Denmarkindividuals with PED
- Participants
- 1,132 individuals
- Exposure
- Cases were compared with sex- and age-matched individuals in the background population
- Casesn = 1,132
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Overall prevalence
19.0 per 100,000
North Denmark (highest)
26.8
Central Denmark (lowest)
12.9
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Psychiatric comorbidities, notably anxiety and affective disorders
Proximity to specialized inherited cardiac clinics
- Cases lived closer than matched controls: shorter distance in the Capital Region
- 50%
- Cases lived closer than matched controls: shorter distance in Southern Denmark
- 18.9%
Beta-blocker use and ICD implantation
- Markedly higher in cases with regional variation
Socioeconomic status
- Socioeconomic differences were modest, with immigrants underrepresented among diagnosed cases
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it