Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2009
Abstract
Limited data exist regarding the cost of non-hip, non-vertebral (NHNV) fractures. Although NHNV fractures may be less expensive than hip and vertebral fractures, they have a higher incidence rate. The objective of this study was to quantify first-year healthcare costs of hip, vertebral, and NHNV fractures. This was a claims-based retrospective analysis using a case-control design among patients with commercial insurance and Medicare employer-based supplemental coverage. Patients were > or =50 years old with a closed hip, vertebral, or NHNV fracture between 7/1/2001 and 12/31/2004, and continuous enrollment 6 months prior to and 12 months after the index fracture. Adjusted mean first-year healthcare costs associated with these fractures were determined. Six cohorts were identified. Patients 50-64 years: NHNV (n=27,424), vertebral (n=3386) and hip (n=2423); patients > or =65 years: NHNV (n=40,960), vertebral (n=11,751) and hip (n=21,504). The ratio of NHNV to hip fractures was 11:1 in the 50-64 cohort and 2:1 in the > or =65 cohort. Adjusted mean first-year costs associated with hip, vertebral, and NHNV fractures were $26,545, $14,977, and $9183 for the 50-64 age cohort, and $15,196, $6701, and $6106 for patients > or =65 years. After taking prevalence rate into account, the proportion of the total fracture costs accounted for by NHNV, hip, and vertebral fractures were 66%, 21% and 13% for the 50-64 age cohort, and 36%, 52% and 12% for the > or =65 age cohort. Limitations included the exclusion of the uninsured and those covered by Medicaid or military-based insurance programs. The results of this study demonstrate that osteoporotic fractures are associated with significant costs. Although NHNV fractures have a lower per-patient cost than hip or vertebral fractures, their total first-year cost is greater for those 50-64 because of their higher prevalence.
Recommended Citation
Shi, Nianwen; Foley, Kathleen; Lenhart, Gregory; and Badamgarav, Enkhe, "Direct healthcare costs of hip, vertebral, and non-hip, non-vertebral fractures." (2009). College of Population Health Faculty Papers. Paper 40.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/healthpolicyfaculty/40
Comments
This article has been peer reviewed. It is the authors' final version prior to publication in Bone Volume 45, Issue 6, December 2009, Pages 1084-1090. The published version is available at DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2009.07.086. Copyright © Elsevier B.V.