Overweight and obesity have been found to be related to several diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Furthermore obese patients more frequently experience non-life threatening disease like osteoarthritis and other diseases in the joints and muscular system. This study seeks to examine whether the increased disease frequency in obese patients compared to non-obese patients results in an increased use of the health care system such as more frequent hospital admission, higher number of contacts to the general practitioner (GP) and a higher number of prescriptions.
All adult patients in the CPRD are followed in a five year period where hospital admission, contacts to general practitioners and number of prescriptions are registered. Each patient will be categorised based on their body mass index (BMI). The findings of this study can provide valuable insight into the role of obesity not only as a risk factor for future related diseases but also as a driver for health care utilisation and indirectly health care costs.
Overweight and obesity have been found to be associated with several diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. Furthermore obese patients more frequently experience non-life threatening disease like osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases. This study seeks to examine whether the increased disease frequency in obese patients compared to non-obese patients results in an increased healthcare resource utilisation defined as higher rates of GP contacts, use of prescription medication or hospital admission.
The cohort consists of patients registered in the CPRD who have a current registration date prior to 01.01.2010 and acceptable data as defined by CPRD. Each patient is followed from an individual baseline (latest date of BMI measurement between 01.01.2008 and 01.01.2010 or 01.01.2009 if no BMI is registered within this period) until end of follow-up (minimum of death date, transfer out date or 30.09.2014). Patients below 18 years of age at baseline are excluded. Rates of the three endpoints are calculated and the rates for obese and non-obese patients are compared using Poisson regression analysis. Sensitivity analyses concerning the group of patients without a registered BMI will be performed.
Anders Rething Borglykke - Chief Investigator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Anders Rething Borglykke - Corresponding Applicant - Novo Nordisk A/S
Anne Helene Olsen - Collaborator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Bine Kjoller Bjerregaard - Collaborator - Novo Nordisk A/S
HES Admitted Patient Care