Economic burden of physical inactivity in hospitalizations due to dementia: a Brazilian nationwide study

Abstract

Our study aimed at determining the economic burden of leisure-time physical inactivity in hospitalizations due to dementia in Brazil. In this national-wide descriptive study, we used secondary data from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department and from the latest Brazilian National Health Survey (2013). Rate of hospitalization and economic cost were extracted from 2013. Leisure-time physical inactivity prevalence was used to estimate its population attributable fraction for dementia. Outcomes were stratified into sex (man/woman), age groups (< 50, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+), ethnicity (white, black, mixed race, other), and region (South, Southeast, North, Northeast, and Central). In 2013, 3,724 people were hospitalized due to dementia in Brazil resulting in a total cost of BRL 17,971,833.85 (USD 7,673,973.05). More than half of cost among men was spent with individuals younger than 59 years, white and mixed-race, and from Southeast region. Proportion of cost was higher in women older than 60 years and white. In 2013, 37% of all hospitalization from dementia in Brazil were attributable to physical inactivity, with values reaching 42.9% and 43.8% for men and women aged 80 or older, respectively. Physical inactivity cost BRL 6,994,254.75 (USD 2,986,546.78) in 2013 on hospitalizations due to dementia in Brazil. Higher attributable-cost was found for patients younger than 50 years and women older than 80. Strategies to preserve the quality of life of these patients are needed to reduce the burden for the patients, their family, and on the healthcare system.

Ethnoracial disparity among patients with dementia during COVID-19 pandemic

“…From 2012 to 2018 the number of people who self-declared themselves as black increased roughly 32.2%, reaching 19.2 million 3 . Although the difference in the prevalence of dementia among ethnic and racial (hereafter called ethnoracial) groups remains controversial, previous studies have confirmed the ethnoracial and social disparity of dementia in countries such as the United States 4,5 , Australia 6 , the United Kingdom 7 , and Brazil 8,9 . Inequity in access to health care, cultural beliefs of dementia as a part of normal aging, and lack of awareness about risk factors and treatment are some factors that might explain such disparity 10,11 .…”

Physical inactivity and dementia in Brazil: a call to action

“…On the other hand, four in five adolescents and half of adults in Brazil do not meet the guideline for physical activity. Among older adults, the prevalence of physical inactivity reached 72% and 82% in males and females, respectively 15 . Physical activity is likely to reduce throughout the life course, leading to an increased risk for other cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and diabetes and, ultimately, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.…”