Journal article
The Economic Burden of Metabolic Syndrome in Elective Surgery: An Australian Cost-of-Illness Study
ANZ Journal of Surgery, Vol.96(5), pp.1343-1349
2026
PMID: 41859958
Appears in UniSC Supported Open Access Outputs
Abstract
Background
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is common in elective surgical populations and is associated with increased postoperative complications. The national economic burden of MetS-attributable surgical morbidity in Australia has not been quantified.
Methods
A prevalence-based cost-of-illness model was constructed using Australian elective surgery volume data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2.3 million admissions, 2021–2022). MetS prevalence was modelled at 35% (sensitivity range 25%–46%). Complication risks were derived from a systematic review and meta-analysis of over 13 million surgical patients. Excess direct hospital costs were estimated from an Australian public hospital system perspective for surgical site infections, cardiovascular events, 30-day readmissions, and extended length of stay. Unit costs were obtained from the National Hospital Cost Data Collection and the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, reported in 2023 Australian dollars. Deterministic sensitivity analysis tested model robustness.
Results
The annual cost burden attributable to MetS was AUD 1.98 billion (95% CI: AUD 1.32–2.64 billion). Costs were driven primarily by extended length of stay (AUD 1.15 billion), followed by readmissions (AUD 345 million), cardiovascular events (AUD 243 million), and surgical site infections (AUD 242 million). Costs ranged from AUD 1.32 billion at 25% prevalence to AUD 2.64 billion at 46% prevalence. The mean additional cost per MetS surgical patient was AUD 2460.
Conclusion
MetS imposes a substantial direct hospital cost burden on the Australian public hospital system. These findings support evaluation of routine preoperative MetS screening and optimisation strategies.
Details
- Title
- The Economic Burden of Metabolic Syndrome in Elective Surgery: An Australian Cost-of-Illness Study
- Authors
- Philip Norris - University of Southern QueenslandJeff Gow - University of the Sunshine CoastThomas Arthur - Toowoomba HospitalDaevyd Rodda - Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group (Australia, Birtinya)Joseph Coory - Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group (Australia, Birtinya)Florin Oprescu - University of the Sunshine CoastStephen Neville - University of the Sunshine CoastNicholas Ralph (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Publication details
- ANZ Journal of Surgery, Vol.96(5), pp.1343-1349
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1111/ans.70588
- ISSN
- 1445-2197
- PMID
- 41859958
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). ANZ Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- Grant note
- Philip Norris received an Australian Government Higher Degree Scholarship
- Organisation Unit
- Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991216133302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Surgery
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