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Effects of Changes in Multiple Chronic Conditions on Medical Costs among Older Adults in South Korea
Soojin Park, Jin Young Nam. Healthcare, 2022-04-15
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
This study aims to analyze the relationship between cognitive function and out-of-pocket cost of the state change of multiple chronic conditions in individuals aged 60 or older. Data from the 2014 to 2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging were used for 2202 older adults who were cognitively “normal” at the start of the survey. Four status change groups were established (“Good → Good,” “Good → Bad,” “Bad → Good,” and “Bad → Bad”) according to the change in the number of chronic diseases. Generalized estimating equation modeling analyzed the association between these changes and out-of-pocket medical cost. Out-of-pocket cost was significantly higher among older adults with multiple chronic conditions (p < 0.0001). Total out-of-pocket medical cost and out-of-pocket cost for outpatient care and prescription drugs were significantly higher for Bad→ Bad or Good → Bad changes. Older adults with cognitive decline had significantly higher total out-of-pocket medical cost and out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs. This study demonstrates the need to improve the multiple chronic conditions management construction model to enhance the health of older adults in Korea and secure national health care finances long-term. It provides a foundation for related medical and medical expenses-related systems.
Key findings
- Out-of-pocket cost was significantly higher among older adults with multiple chronic conditions (p < 0.0001).
- Total out-of-pocket medical cost and out-of-pocket cost for outpatient care and prescription drugs were significantly higher for Bad→ Bad or Good → Bad changes.
- Older adults with cognitive decline had significantly higher total out-of-pocket medical cost and out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs.
Why it matters
This study examined how changes in multiple chronic conditions relate to out-of-pocket medical costs among older adults in South Korea, including those with cognitive decline. It found higher costs among those with cognitive decline, which is about financial burden rather than treating or curing Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 42/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Healthcare) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Healthcare: journal h-index 120 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2022 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 7 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.2 citations a year over 6 year(s) since 2022 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Jin Young Nam: h-index 16 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Eulji University: institution h-index 164 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 35455919) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 42 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Park, S., & Nam, J. Y. (2022). Effects of Changes in Multiple Chronic Conditions on Medical Costs among Older Adults in South Korea. Healthcare. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040742
Vancouver
Park S, Nam JY. Effects of Changes in Multiple Chronic Conditions on Medical Costs among Older Adults in South Korea. Healthcare. 2022. doi:10.3390/healthcare10040742. PMID: 35455919.
BibTeX
@article{park2022-35455919,
author = {Park, Soojin and Nam, Jin Young},
title = {{Effects of Changes in Multiple Chronic Conditions on Medical Costs among Older Adults in South Korea}},
journal = {Healthcare},
year = {2022},
doi = {10.3390/healthcare10040742},
pmid = {35455919},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040742}
}
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