Hospitalization rates and cost in severe or complicated obesity: an Italian cohort study

Background The economic and social costs of obesity are estimated to be considerable, particularly for inpatient care. The aim of this study was to compare the hospitalization rates of individuals with severe (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2) or complicated (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) obesity with those of the general population in two regions of Northwest Italy, and to describe absolute costs of hospitalization and their determinants.