Intersecting comorbidities and economic strain: A systematic review of financial burden in elderly with periodontal disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Background: The financial burden of comorbidities in the elderly is a growing concern, as aging populations experience higher rates of chronic diseases requiring long-term care. Rising healthcare costs, medication expenses, and hospitalization fees significantly impact the financial well-being of elderly individuals and their families. 

Objective: This study aims to analyze the economic impact of comorbidities among elderly populations, focusing on direct medical expenses, indirect costs, and socio-economic implications. 

Method: The method used is a systematic review, The searches were carried out in Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Proquest. Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. Two authors independently reviewed studies, assessed their quality and eligibility, then extracted the data. 

Result: 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria were retained, according to research, older adults with several chronic illnesses have significant financial difficulties, such as high out-of-pocket medical costs, a higher risk of hospitalization, and expensive long-term care services. Economic stress is further worsened by inadequate insurance coverage, which disproportionately affects older, low – income groups. 

Conclusion: Our review shows that the combination of periodontal disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension substantially increases health care expenditures among the elderly. The financial impacts are synergistic, resulting in significant wealth depletion and increased out-of-pocket costs.