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The cost of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and associated fractures in Australia in 2017

Citation

Tatangelo, G and Watts, J and Lim, K and Connaughton, C and Abimanyi-Ochom, J and Borgstrom, F and Nicholson, GC and Shore-Lorenti, C and Stuart, AL and Iuliano- Burns, S and Seeman, E and Prince, R and March, L and Cross, M and Winzenberg, T and Laslett, LL and Duque, G and Ebeling, PR and Sanders, KM, The cost of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and associated fractures in Australia in 2017, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research pp. 1-10. ISSN 0884-0431 (2018) [Refereed Article]

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Copyright Statement

Copyright 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: The cost of osteoporosis, osteopenia and associated fractures in Australia in 2017, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.3640. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

DOI: doi:10.1002/jbmr.3640

Abstract

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are increasingly prevalent conditions among older adults. Not only do the fractures associated with poor bone health have significant health consequences for the individual, but also their economic impact is placing increasing financial burden on governments and society. This study aimed to determine the direct economic cost of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and fractures among Australians aged 50 years and older in 2017. This study uses previous Australian data on the incidence and prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia together with recent Australian data on health service utilization after fracture to provide an estimate of the economic burden of osteoporosis. A bottom-up costing approach was used to determine the average direct health care and non-health care total costs of a fracture, as well as the average community health service costs of managing individuals with osteoporosis or osteopenia. The total direct cost of osteoporosis in Australia in 2017 was estimated to be $3.44 billion (AUD 2017, USD 2.77 billion). Treatment of fractures accounted for 68% of total direct costs, and non-fracture management of osteoporosis accounted for 32%. Hip fractures accounted for the highest proportion (43%) of the total direct cost of fractures, although fractures at "other" sites accounted for 38.5%. Fractures among individuals aged 70 years and older accounted for 74% of the direct costs (55% and 19% in women and men, respectively). Fracture costs in those with osteopenia accounted for 50% of direct fracture treatment costs. This up-to-date cost analysis estimated that costs in 2017 were three times higher than in 2007. These estimates will aid clinicians, policy makers, researchers, and health care organizations to acknowledge the economic importance of reducing osteoporosis-related fractures and associated costs. This provides a strong public health case to promote bone health that will assist in reducing future fracture-related costs.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:fractures, osteoporosis, osteopenia, health economics
Research Division:Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:Clinical Sciences
Research Field:Orthopaedics
Objective Division:Health
Objective Group:Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:Skeletal System and Disorders (incl. Arthritis)
UTAS Author:Winzenberg, T (Professor Tania Winzenberg)
UTAS Author:Laslett, LL (Dr Laura Laslett)
ID Code:130063
Year Published:2018
Funding Support:National Health and Medical Research Council (1070586)
Deposited By:Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:2019-01-09
Last Modified:2019-03-18
Downloads:0

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