Vesikansa A, Mehtälä J, Mutanen K, Lundqvist A, Laatikainen T, Ylisaukko-oja T, Saukkonen T, Pietiläinen KH. The association between body mass index groups and metabolic comorbidities with healthcare and medication costs: a nationwide biobank and registry study in Finland.
J Mark Access Health Policy 2023;
11:2166313. [PMID:
36684852 PMCID:
PMC9858397 DOI:
10.1080/20016689.2023.2166313]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The increasing prevalence of obesity imposes a significant cost burden on individuals and societies worldwide.
OBJECTIVE
In this nationally representative study, the association between body mass index (BMI) groups and the number of metabolic comorbidities (MetC) with total direct costs was investigated in the Finnish population.
STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
The study cohort included 5,587 adults with BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2 who participated in the cross-sectional FinHealth 2017 health examination survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Data on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and drug purchases were collected from national healthcare and drug registers.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The primary outcome was total direct costs (costs of primary and secondary HCRU and prescription medications).
RESULTS
Class I (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m2) and class II - III (BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2) obesity were associated with 43% and 40% higher age- and sex-adjusted direct costs, respectively, compared with normal weight, mainly driven by a steeply increased comorbidity in the higher BMI groups. In all BMI groups combined, individuals with ≥2 MetCs comprised 39% of the total study population and 60% of the total costs.
CONCLUSION
To manage the cost burden of obesity, treatment should be given equal consideration as other chronic diseases, and BMIs ≥30.0 kg/m2 should be considered in treatment decisions.
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