Abstract
BackgroundOsteoarthritis is one of the primary causes of long-term functional disability. With an estimated 13.5 % prevalence in the general population contributes to a significant financial burden both for patients and healthcare systems. The purpose of this research is to highlight the direct annual cost of the disease to the private healthcare sector of Nicosia.MethodsA questionnaire based on Greek and international research was completed between 10/1/2012 and 11/30/2012, with a sample of 20 doctors specialists in orthopaedics and rheumatology (50 % of practising physicians in the private sector). An assessment of the annual cost of medical procedures and tests, pharmacologic therapies (modalities) and supplies per patient followed, based on current costs. Direct costs were assessed through the micro-costing “bottom-up” approach. We isolated and separately priced the original diagnosis, followed by each stage of the disease.ResultsThe cost for the six predominant medical tests to establish a diagnosis and exclude mainly RA such as ESR, CPR, and X-ray as well as a physician’s office visit was 150€ per patient. The average direct cost per patient during stages 1, 2 and 3 of the disease was 280.54€, 1,834.64€ and 5,641.72€ annually, respectively, with an annual average of 2,573€ per patient.ConclusionsEven though during the period of the study, the country had not yet established clinical guidelines, the participating physicians followed international practices. Significant rise in the cost in each stage of the disease was found, with additional increases in the following years as a result of the expected increased prevalence of the disease. It is noted here that uninsured patients, as well as those who qualified for free medical care, they seek these services in the private sector, and had to pay out of pocket money for examination and treatment. These patients, thus, contended with a serious financial burden. Therefore, it is important to inform them very extensively regarding evidence-based management of the disease to aid them in coping with this chronic illness.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis is one of the primary causes of long-term functional disability
Osteoarthritis is a chronic illness, which presents as a result of degenerative joint disease primarily of the upper and lower extremities
Our aim was to capture the direct annual cost for each patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the lower extremities, managed by a private orthopaedist or rheumatologist at the Province of Nicosia, with regards each one of the three stages of the disease
Summary
Osteoarthritis is one of the primary causes of long-term functional disability. With an estimated 13.5 % prevalence in the general population contributes to a significant financial burden both for patients and healthcare systems. Osteoarthritis is a chronic illness, which presents as a result of degenerative joint disease primarily of the upper and lower extremities. It mainly affects the elderly population, but may in some cases affect younger generations. Osteoarthritis is a common disease and attributable to 50 % of musculoskeletal conditions It is affecting 9.6 % of men and 18 % of women over the age of 60 internationally. Under the age of 50, osteoarthritis is more prevalent in men, whereas, over the age Andrioti et al BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2015) 16:193 of 50, it is more prevalent in women This gender distinction continues and increases with age [5]
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