Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Healthcare Expenditures Related to Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in Older Adults: SABE Study

• Published in: Journal of aging and physical activity Vol. 25; no. 4; p. 553
• Main Authors: Bueno, Denise Rodrigues, Marucci, Maria de Fátima Nunes, Rosa, Clara Suemi da Costa, Fernandes, Rômulo Araújo, de Oliveira Duarte, Yeda Aparecida, Lebão, Maria Lucia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Accelerometry - methods; Aged; Brazil - epidemiology; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus - economics; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus - physiopathology; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Test - methods; Female; Geriatric Assessment - methods; Health Care Costs - statistics & numerical data; Health Expenditures - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Hypertension - economics; Hypertension - epidemiology; Hypertension - physiopathology; Male; Patient Care Management - economics; Patient Care Management - methods; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Statistics as Topic; accelerometry; older people; expenditures; physical activity level
• ISSN: 1543-267X
• DOI: 10.1123/japa.2016-0023

Research using questionnaires has shown that physical activity level (PAL) is associated with healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured PAL and healthcare costs among hypertensive and diabetic noninstitutionalized Brazilian older people. The method consisted of a cross-sectional study forming part of the SABE Study, composed of 377 older people interviewed in 2010. Expenditures were estimated taking into account self-reported medicine prescription, outpatient service, and hospitalizations, with the highest quartile of expenditures considered as a risk category. PAL was estimated using an Actigraph accelerometer. Associations were expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for covariates. Overall expenditures were higher in the sedentary group. The insufficiently active group presented greater odds for higher total, outpatient, and hospitalization expenditure. It was concluded that healthcare expenditures were lower in more active hypertensive and diabetic older people. The promotion of physical activity could be relevant in the attenuation of the burden of chronic diseases in economic losses.