Background And Objective: Identifying risks for older adults who will require healthcare resources is critical for the government, healthcare providers, and consumers. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the results of the single limb standing (SLS) test and healthcare costs among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: We used data obtained from a population-based prospective cohort study of the residents of Tadami town in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The participants were above 60 years of age and had undergone annual health check-ups, and data on their healthcare costs over the two-year study period were available. A censored regression model adjusted for potential confounders was used to estimate the mean difference in total healthcare costs between participants who could remain standing on a single limb for at least 30 s and those who could not.
Results: Healthcare costs of participants who passed the SLS test were significantly lower than those who did not. The mean difference between the two groups' healthcare costs was 4064 USD (95 % confidence interval: 2661-5467 USD, p < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, the mean difference between the two groups was smaller (1686 USD) but remained statistically significant (95 % confidence interval: 125-3246 USD, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Among community-dwelling older adults, limited static balance (SLS time <30 s) was found to be associated with high healthcare costs in the two years after the SLS test. The SLS test may help identify individuals at high risk of becoming frequent users of healthcare services in the future.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2020.104256 | DOI Listing |
Pilot Feasibility Stud
January 2025
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Background: Approximately 30% of patients with atrial fibrillation suffer from depression. Depression in patients with atrial fibrillation is associated with poor health outcomes, reduced health-related quality of life, and elevated societal costs. Preventing depression in this population may therefore lead to better health outcomes for the individual patient and reduced burden on society.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med
January 2025
PreHospen-Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.
Introduction: Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for contacting the emergency medical services (EMS). It is difficult for EMS personnel to distinguish between patients suffering from a high-risk condition in need of prompt hospital care and patients suitable for non-conveyance. A vast majority of patients with chest pain are therefore transported to the emergency department (ED) for further investigation even if hospital care is not necessary.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfect Chemother
December 2024
Institute for Health and Society, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Background: The Korean government is implementing policy to reduce medical costs and improve treatment related for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The level of cost reduction and the benefits provided vary depending on how individuals with HIV utilize the system. This study aims to determine exact HIV prevalence by analyzing healthcare utilization patterns and examining differences in healthcare usage based on how individuals pay for their medical expenses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfect Chemother
December 2024
Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, J&K, India.
Background: Wound infections significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs globally. The Kashmir Valley's unique geographical and climatic conditions, coupled with resource constraints and antibiotic misuse, complicate managing these infections effectively. This study aimed to identify predominant bacterial pathogens in wound infections at a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir, determine their antibiotic susceptibility profiles, and estimate the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Nurs
January 2025
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia.
Background: Pressure injuries are a significant concern in healthcare settings, leading to increased morbidity, healthcare costs, and patient suffering. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of multifaceted interventions on the prevention of Pressure injuries and improvements in nursing practices.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across multiple databases, including studies from Google Scholar (332), Science Direct (14), grey literature sources (45), PubMed (0), Cochrane Library (437), and Hinari (322).
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