Abstract
BackgroundFew epidemiological data on hip fractures were previously available in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and hospital costs of hip fractures in Vilnius in 2010.MethodsData were collected from the medical charts of all patients admitted to hospitals in Vilnius (population, 548,835) due to new low-energy trauma hip fracture, during 2010. The estimated costs included ambulance transportation and continuous hospitalisation immediately after a fracture, which are covered by the Lithuanian healthcare system.ResultsThe incidence of new low-energy trauma hip fractures was 252 (308 women and 160 men) per 100,000 inhabitants of Vilnius aged 50-years or more. There was an exponential increase in the incidence with increasing age. The overall estimated cost of hip fractures in Vilnius was 1,114,292 EUR for the year 2010. The greatest part of the expenditure was accounted for by fractures in individuals aged 65-years and over. The mean cost per case was 2,526.74 EUR, and cost varied depending on the treatment type. Hip replacement did not affect the overall mean costs of hip fracture. The majority of costs were incurred for acute (53%) and long-term care (35%) hospital stays, while medical rehabilitation accounted for only 12% of the overall cost. The costs of hip fracture were somewhat lower than those found in other European countries.ConclusionThe data on incidence and costs of hip fractures will help to assess the importance of interventions to reduce the number of fractures and associated costs.
Highlights
Few epidemiological data on hip fractures were previously available in Lithuania
Estimation of direct hospital costs related to rehabilitation and long-term care We have provided an estimate of post-fracture rehabilitation costs and direct costs of stay at a long-term care hospital
Our results show that the overall incidence of new low-energy trauma hip fractures during 2010 was 252 per 100,000 inhabitants of Vilnius aged over 50 years, and there was an exponential increase in hip fracture incidence with increasing age – a fact which has been widely described in medical literature
Summary
Few epidemiological data on hip fractures were previously available in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and hospital costs of hip fractures in Vilnius in 2010. With the growing size of the elderly population, osteoporotic fractures and disabilities resulting from them have a major impact on health. Hip fractures are arguably the most serious and contribute most to the healthcare burden of osteoporosis; a reliable estimate of their present. Very little data are available about the incidence and consequences of fractures in Lithuania [8,9,10]. Osteoporosis in Lithuania is still under-reported on hospital discharge forms as co-morbidity, even in elderly patients with hip fractures.
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