Metabolic Syndrome, Physical Activity, and Medication-Related Expenditures: A Longitudinal Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of MetS worldwide is increasing. There is no study investigating the economic burden of MetS, especially in developing countries, on medication-related expenditure. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of medication-related expenditures with MetS and to explore how physical activity (PA) may influence this association. METHODS: A total of 620 participants, 50 years or older, randomly selected in the city of Bauru, Brazil. Participants were followed from 2010 to 2014, and data on health care expenditure were collected annually. PA questionnaire was applied at baseline, 2 (2012), and 4 (2014) years later. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.7 (95% confidence interval, 64.1-65.3). MetS was associated with higher medication expenditure related to diseases of the circulatory (P <.01) and endocrine (P <.01) systems. MetS explained 17.2% of medication-related expenditures, whereas PA slightly attenuated this association, explaining 1.1% of all health care costs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that MetS has a significant burden on health care expenditures among adults, whereas PA seems to affect this phenomenon significantly, but in low magnitude.

Health indicators and costs among outpatients according to physical activity level and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: How biochemical variables influence the costs of the Brazilian National Healthcare System, according to body composition and physical activity. METHODS: Participated in this study 168 patients. Biochemical variables were glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high, low, very low density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein (CRP). For the cost analysis the medical records was analyzed. Physical activity was assessed through questionnaire. Body adiposity was assessed by body mass index. Four groups were defined according body adiposity and physical activity. RESULTS: The active obese group had higher values of very low density lipoprotein and triglycerides when compared to the inactive obese. The non-obese inactive group had lower values of non-high density lipoprotein compared to the inactive obese. The non-obese active group presented lower insulin value when compared to the inactive obese. The inactive obese group presented higher values in the CRP when compared to the non-obese active and inactive groups when compared to non-obese and active obese group. There was a positive correlation between insulin, glucose, CRP and drug and total costs. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical variables were different according to body composition and physical activity. Insulin, glucose and CRP were related to cost in drugs and total costs.