Obesity is related to several diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. This study seeks to examine whether previous cardiovascular disease or increased cardiovascular disease risk among different body mass index patient groups result in a more intense use of the health care system compared to non-obese patients. In this study we define cardiovascular disease as disease which affects the heart and blood vessels. Utilisation of the health care system will be assessed as frequent hospital admission, number of contacts to the general practitioner (GP) and number of prescriptions.
Adult patients in the Clinical Practice Research Database (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) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) status. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights into the role of obesity as a driver for higher health care utilisation among patients with or at risk of CVDs
The cohort consists of patients registered in the CPRD who have a current registration date prior to 01.01.2011 and acceptable data as defined by CPRD. Each patient is followed from an individual baseline (latest date of BMI measurement between 01.01.2011 and 31.12.2012) until end of follow-up (minimum of death date, transfer out date or 31.07.2017). Patients below 18 years of age at baseline are excluded. For patients with no BMI measurement record the baseline date will be 31.12.21012. Rates of the three endpoints are:
- Compare rates of GP contacts between patients at different BMI groups and by CVD status.
- Compare rates of prescriptions between patients at different BMI groups and by CVD status.
- Compare rates of hospital admissions between patients at different BMI groups and by CVD status.
The rates for different BMI groups are compared within groups of cardiovascular disease using a negative binomial model. Sensitivity analyses concerning the group of patients without a registered BMI will be performed.
Healthcare Cost Utilization
Christiane L Haase - Chief Investigator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Anne Helene Olsen - Corresponding Applicant - Novo Nordisk A/S
Adeeb Tawseef - Collaborator - IQVIA
Anne Helene Olsen - Collaborator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Niels Væver Hartvig - Collaborator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Rikke Baastrup Nordsborg - Collaborator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Philip Kittel - Chief Investigator - Novo Nordisk A/S
Philip Kittel - Corresponding Applicant - Novo Nordisk A/S
HES Admitted Patient Care;ONS Death Registration Data;Pregnancy Register