Spatial Epidemiology
Spatial Distribution of Digestive Disease Diagnoses in Texas Using Outpatient Public Use Data Jasmine Carey* Jasmine Carey Texas A&M University
Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases represent a significant global health burden, affecting millions of individuals and straining healthcare systems worldwide. These conditions include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic liver disease, celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic pancreatitis. The prevalence continues to rise which is driven by factors such as diet, sedentary lifestyles, environmental exposures, and genetic susceptibility.
The goal was to analyze the spatial distribution of outpatient digestive disease diagnoses across Texas public health regions (PHRs) and counties. Data from the 2024 Texas Outpatient Public Use Data File (PUDF) were used to map the spatial distribution. The ICD-10 codes related to digestive diseases were isolated and applied in the mapping. Results indicate that the highest percentages of outpatient digestive disease diagnoses by PHR occurred in Regions 3, 6, and 8, while Kendall and Comal counties showed the highest percentages at the county level.
This analysis provides an important initial look at the geographic patterns of digestive diseases across Texas. The identification of distinct clusters highlights areas where disease burdens may be disproportionately high. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the demographic, environmental, and healthcare-access factors that may be driving these spatial trends, ultimately supporting efforts to improve targeted public health strategies for Texans living with chronic GI conditions.