Epidemiology and Economic Burden of Meckel’s Diverticulum in Slovakia: A Population-Based Analysis of National Health Data between 2015 and 2023

Abstract Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting from incomplete obliteration of the embryonic omphaloenteric (vitelline) duct. Although its prevalence is estimated at approximately 2% of the population, it remains a rare cause of acute abdomen requiring surgical management. A retrospective, population-based study was conducted using data from the National Health Information Centre (NCZI) of Slovakia for the years 2015–2023. All cases coded under ICD-10 Q43.0 (Meckel’s diverticulum) were included. Variables analyzed comprised demographic characteristics, admission type, treatment modality, length of stay, rehospitalizations, and healthcare reimbursements, with all costs adjusted for inflation. A total of 233 patients were identified, of whom 172 were hospitalized (4.3 per 100,000 inhabitants). Most patients were male (65.7%), and acute admissions accounted for 83.7% of cases. Surgical treatment was performed in 77.9%, with a median hospital stay of 5 days. MD occurred predominantly in the 0–4 and 5–14-year groups, confirming its congenital nature. The regional distribution was uneven, with the Prešovský region showing the highest standardized hospitalization rate. Annual hospitalizations remained stable (15–23 per year), while total reimbursements varied substantially, from approximately €44,238 in 2020 to €126,500 in 2023. The average cost per patient ranged between €3,686 and €7,443, and inpatient care accounted for 80–90% of total expenditures. No significant associations were found between sex, surgical treatment, admission type, or rehospitalization, though a borderline trend suggested slightly higher rehospitalization rates after surgery (p = 0.053). After adjusting for inflation, per-patient costs showed no significant linear (p = 0.46) or monotonic (p = 0.76) trend, although 2023 costs were higher than the 2015–2022 average (p = 0.11). MD remains a rare but clinically significant condition, predominantly affecting children and young males, with a high rate of surgical intervention and low recurrence. Despite its low overall frequency, MD demonstrates substantial variability in per-patient costs, reflecting diverse clinical presentations. These national data provide the first comprehensive epidemiological and economic overview of Meckel’s diverticulum in Slovakia and establish a foundation for further clinical and health policy research.