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. 2024 Aug 12;142(6):e2023215.
doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2023.0215.R1.13052024. eCollection 2024.

Burden of metabolic syndrome on primary healthcare costs among older adults: A cross-sectional study

Suelen Jane Ricardo  1 , Monique Yndawe Castanho Araujo  2 , Lionai Lima Dos Santos  1 , Marcelo Romanzini  3 , Rômulo Araújo Fernandes  4 , Bruna C Turi-Lynch  5 , Jamile Sanches Codogno  6
Affiliations

Burden of metabolic syndrome on primary healthcare costs among older adults: A cross-sectional study

Suelen Jane Ricardo et al. Sao Paulo Med J. .

Abstract

Background: The impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on healthcare costs remains unclear in the literature.

Objectives: To determine the impact of MetS on primary healthcare costs of adults, as well as to identify the impact of physical activity and other covariates on this phenomenon.

Design and setting: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Presidente Prudente, State of São Paulo/Brazil, in 2016.

Methods: The sample comprised 159 older adults (> 50 years) of both sexes (110 women) who were identified from their medical records in the Brazilian National Health Service. Healthcare costs (US$) were assessed through medical records and divided into medical consultations, medications, laboratory tests, and total costs. MetS was assessed using medical records.

Results: The Brazilian National Health Service spent more on consultations (US$ 22.75 versus US$ 19.39; + 17.3%) and medication (US$ 19.65 versus US$ 8.32; + 136.1%) among adults with MetS than among those without MetS, but the costs for laboratory tests were similar (P = 0.343). Total costs were 53.9% higher in adults with MetS than in those without the diagnosis of the disease (P = 0.001). Regarding total costs, there was an increase of US$ 38.97 when five components of MetS were present (P = 0.015), representing an increase of approximately 700%, even after adjusting for sex, age, and physical activity.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the presence of the MetS is responsible for increasing primary care costs among older adults, especially in those related to medicines.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

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