Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Medical Costs by the Scale of Enterprise in Korea

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) and to analyze the relationship between the risk factors of MS and medical cost of major diseases related to MS in Korean workers, according to the scale of the enterprise.MethodsData was obtained from annual physical examinations, health insurance qualification and premiums, and health insurance benefits of 4,094,217 male and female workers who underwent medical examinations provided by the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2009. Logistic regression analyses were used to the identify risk factors of MS and multiple regression was used to find factors associated with medical expenditures due to major diseases related to MS.ResultThe study found that low-income workers were more likely to work in small-scale enterprises. The prevalence rate of MS in males and females, respectively, was 17.2% and 9.4% in small-scale enterprises, 15.9% and 8.9% in medium-scale enterprises, and 15.9% and 5.5% in large-scale enterprises. The risks of MS increased with age, lower income status, and smoking in small-scale enterprise workers. The medical costs increased in workers with old age and past smoking history. There was also a gender difference in the pattern of medical expenditures related to MS.ConclusionsHealth promotion programs to manage metabolic syndrome should be developed to focus on workers who smoke, drink, and do little exercise in small scale enterprises.

Predictive costs in medical care for Koreans with metabolic syndrome from 2009 to 2013 based on the National Health Insurance claims dataset

“…There have been several studies investigating the relationship between medical costs and MetS. However, they either covered only an age group and region [ 4 , 8 , 24 ] or were cross-sectional studies [ 8 , 25 ]. To our knowledge, this is the first study using a nationwide and longitudinal database in South Korea.…”

“…In the CHS, total costs to Medicare were 20% higher among participants with MetS than among those without MetS (40,873 USD vs. 33,010 USD, p < 0.001) [ 4 ]. Korean workers with MetS paid a minimum of 2.0 times to a maximum of 16.4 times more than those without MetS for treatment of major diseases related to MetS [ 8 ]. In our study that covers both study populations, subsidized medical costs between the two groups differed by a magnitude of 2.61.…”

“…35, No. 4, July 2020 group and region [4,8,24] or were cross-sectional studies [8,25]. To our knowledge, this is the first study using a nationwide and longitudinal database in South Korea.…”

“…The local government of Seoul has operated public health centers participating in the MetS management program since 2010 [ 7 ]. In a cross-sectional study, Kong et al [ 8 ] reported that workers in small-scale enterprises were more likely to have MetS and to spend more on medical costs for major diseases related to MetS. However, nationwide cost analyses of MetS using a longitudinal database are lacking.…”

Does Maintained Medical Aid Coverage Affect Healthy Lifestyle Factors, Metabolic Syndrome-Related Health Status, and Individuals’ Use of Healthcare Services?

“…An unhealthy lifestyle is significantly associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [ 29 ]. Metabolic syndrome is a factor that greatly affects health, one’s tendency to use healthcare services, and healthcare costs [ 30 , 31 ]. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome, including blood pressure, blood sugar, waist circumference, triglycerides, and HDL levels, can be used to determine the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease.…”