OBJECTIVES: Wilson's disease (MW) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder. Copper excretion from the liver via the bile duct is decreased due to gene mutations. Thus, copper accumulates in various organs, damaging them and leading to a variable symptom pattern. In recent years, new drugs have been approved for treatment. Here, we aim to investigate how frequently these therapies are used in inpatient settings and how hospitalization patterns have evolved since then.

METHODS: Inpatient care data from the Federal Statistical Office and quality reports 2015 and 2020-2022 were examined and analyzed for MW coding.

RESULTS: in 2022, 504 cases were coded with MW, 142 cases with main diagnosis (MD), 362 cases with secondary diagnosis (SD). The 46.9% share of female patients had a mean age of 42.2 years (median 41), male patients 36.3 (median 37). Female patients stayed shorter in hospital, MD: 5.2d versus 6.3d for men, and for SD 7.9d versus 9.2d. Analysis pf patients’ residences showed an even distribution across the states, with 81 departments treating MW cases in 2021. Treatments 2021 in neurology departments 21.0% (2015: 42.2%) internal medicine 33.3% (2015: 24.4%), remaining in pediatrics. 51% of MD were treated in university hospitals.

Since 2019, various trientins have been approved in Germany. In total, 45 cases with inpatient trientine uses were coded in 2020 to 2022 combined. 62% in university hospitals, 59% in internal medicine departments. 60% female patients, mean age 39.6 years, mean length of stay 12.5 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization frequency of MW has been decreasing recently. Majority of treatments take place in university facilities, with a trend from neurological to internal medicine departments. Differences in age and length of stay between genders remain unexplained. The coded use of newly approved drugs is currently a rarity. Conclusions on effects are therefore not possible at present.