Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Physical Inactivity as a Predictor of High Prevalence of Hypertension and Health Expenditures in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hisham Aljadhey

Medication Safety Research Chair, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, PO Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;

For correspondence:- Email: haljadhey@ksu.edu.sa Tel:+966530039008

Received: 10 May 2012 Accepted: 16 October 2012 Published: 13 December 2012

Citation: Aljadhey H. Physical Inactivity as a Predictor of High Prevalence of Hypertension and Health Expenditures in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study. Trop J Pharm Res 2012; 11(6):983-990 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v11i6.16

© 2012 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the association between physical activity, prevalence of hypertension, and total healthcare and pharmaceutical expenditure in the United States of America (US).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adult United States residents were included from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for 2002. In the MEPS, physical activity was defined as spending at least 30 min 3 times a week in moderate to vigorous physical activity and the diagnosis of hypertension was based on the patient’s self-report. Logistic and multiple linear regression models were used to calculate the risk of prevalent hypertension in physically inactive individuals and examine the association between physical activity and healthcare expenditure after controlling for confounders.

Results: Hypertensive patients who were physically active accounted for 46 % and the risk of hypertension was higher in physically inactive individuals than in those who were physically active (Odds ratio, 1.1; 95 % Confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.12, p < 0.0001). Physical activity in all individuals was associated with a decrease in total healthcare expenditure by US$592 per person (p < 0.0001) and pharmaceutical expenditure by US$125 per person (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Total healthcare and pharmaceutical expenditures were significantly lower for physically active than physically inactive individuals.

Keywords: Physical inactivity, Hypertension, Healthcare expenditure