The Comparison of Health Behaviors, Use of Health Services, and Health Expenditures among Diabetic Patients according to the Practice of Exercise

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of health services and health expenditures between non-exercise and exercise groups of diabetic patients and among three groups divided according to exercise intensity. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Korean Health Panel Survey of 2011. The participants of this study were 864 diabetic patients who did exercise (walk, moderate exercise, or vigorous exercise) or not. Data were subsequently analyzed using the SPSS 21 Program. RESULTS: The exercise group showed higher percentages of medication compliance, non-smokers, and regular diet than the non-exercise group. The hospitalization percentage, the number of outpatient hospital visits, and health expenditures were higher in the non-exercise group than in the exercise group. There was no difference among the three groups divided according to exercise intensity in the use of health services and health expenditures. CONCLUSION: These results show that exercise is a way to reduce diabetic patients' use of health services and their health expenditures.