Premium
Association between periodontitis and medical expenditure in older adults: A 33‐month follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Sato Misuzu,
Iwasaki Masanori,
Yoshihara Akihiro,
Miyazaki Hideo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.12569
Subject(s) - quartile , medicine , periodontitis , confounding , national health and nutrition examination survey , medical expenditure panel survey , gerontology , population , health care , environmental health , dentistry , health insurance , confidence interval , economics , economic growth
Aim Along with rapid aging, medical expenditure for older adults has been increasing in J apan. Research has shown that periodontitis is a useful predictor for excess medical expenditure; however, limited information is available on the elderly population after adequately considering confounding factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and long‐term medical expenditure in elderly J apanese. Methods Baseline health and periodontal examinations were carried out in J une 2008. Japanese adults ( n = 245) aged 80 years were classified into quartiles based on periodontal inflamed surface area ( PISA ), which quantifies the degree of periodontal inflammation. Medical care use and costs were monitored by assessment of the N ational H ealth I nsurance claim files from the baseline survey through the end of F ebruary 2011. Multivariable analysis of the differences in medical expenditure among PISA quartiles was carried out using linear regression with robust standard errors. Results The participants in the fourth (with the largest PISA ) and third quartiles had significantly higher inpatient medical expenditure compared with those of the first quartile ( P < 0.01 and = 0.04, respectively). Participants in the fourth quartile had significantly higher total medical expenditure ( P < 0.01) compared with the first quartile. A trend was observed of higher inpatient and total medical expenditure with increasing PISA . Conclusions A significant association was found between periodontitis and future increase in medical expenditure, suggesting that periodontitis might be a modifiable factor for the reduction of excess medical expenditure among elderly Japanese. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 856–864.