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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.
Bueno and Fernandes are with the Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil. Marucci is with the Department of Nutrition of Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Rosa is with the Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, Brazil. De Oliveira Duarte is with the Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Lebão is with the Department of Epidemiology of Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.