Hospital costs attributable to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in COVID-19 patients in South Africa.

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the inequities that exist in many countries worldwide. Access to health services and the cost of services due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases are some of the issues that countries have had to contend with. Those with pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes have had to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the hospital costs attributable to obesity, diabetes and hypertension in COVID-19 patients in South Africa.

Design and methods: A prevalence-based disease-specific cost of illness approach was conducted to estimate the direct medical costs of hypertension, obesity and diabetes in COVID-19 patients. The population attributable fraction was computed and multiplied by the total treatment cost of COVID-19. A total of 78,464 hospital admissions were included based on data collected for Wave 1 (D614G variant) between June and August 2020.

Results: The direct healthcare costs attributed to hypertension in COVID-19 admissions were estimated to be approximately US$2.7 million. The total costs of admissions attributed to obesity were estimated to be approximately US$1.2 million. The cost attributable to diabetes was estimated to be approximately US$1.7 million across the public sector wards.

Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with an additional diagnosis of hypertension, obesity and diabetes have shown to exert a heavy financial burden on South Africa's healthcare system. The study emphasizes the importance of investing in the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a key component of future pandemic planning and response strategies. Preventing underlying conditions such as NCDs can decrease costs and mortality, and help populations better withstand future pandemics.