Health Care Utilization and Costs of Elderly Persons With Multiple Chronic Conditions

作者:Lehnert Thomas*; Heider Dirk; Leicht Hanna; Heinrich Sven; Corrieri Sandro; Luppa Melanie; Riedel Heller Steffi; Koenig Hans Helmut
来源:Medical Care Research and Review, 2011, 68(4): 387-420.
DOI:10.1177/1077558711399580

摘要

This systematic literature review identified and summarized 35 studies that investigated the relationship between multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) and health care utilization outcomes (i.e. physician use, hospital use, medication use) and health care cost outcomes (medication costs, out-of-pocket costs, total health care costs) for elderly general populations. Although synthesis of studies was complicated because of ambiguous definitions and measurements of MCCs, and because of the multitude of outcomes investigated, almost all studies observed a positive association of MCCs and use/costs, many of which found that use/costs significantly increased with each additional condition. Several studies indicate a curvilinear, near exponential relationship between MCCs and costs. The rising prevalence, substantial costs, and the fear that current care arrangements may be inappropriate for many patients with MCCs, bring about a multitude of implications for research and policy, of which the most important are presented and discussed.

  • 出版日期2011-8