Background

Physical activity (PA) and diet modification (DM) can control patients’ glycemic levels and decrease glycated hemoglobin. This study explored the prevalence of diabetic patients who integrate a non-pharmacological intervention into their therapy, and its effect on healthcare utilization and expenditures.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design approach was conducted. Subjects included patients who reported being diagnosed with diabetes and reported treating it with diet modification or physical activity on the 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Physical activity was defined as moderate to vigorous physical exercise 5 times per week. DM was defined as healthy eating that results in reduced glucose levels. A series of weighted statistical tests were conducted, and all analyses were performed using SAS 9.4.

Results

An estimated 26.3 million people reported a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in the United States in 2019, of which 12.1 million (46%) did not include either DM or PA in their therapy. Those who did not include non-pharmacological interventions had more total healthcare expenditures (M = $ 18428, SE = 1932.87) compared with those who included both (M = $ 15134, SE = 1684.31), p<.0001. Moreover, there was a significant difference in prescribed medicine utilization per year for those who did not include DM and PA (M = 45.8, SE = 2.7) and patients who were physically active and on DM (M = 33.5, SE = 1.3).

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes who adhere to a non-pharmacological intervention in their therapy showed significantly lower utilization and expenditures. Being active and a healthy diet are imperative for patients with diabetes. They can successfully help delay or prevent the progression of diabetes and consequently reduce the cost and utilization associated with diabetes.