Direct costs of osteoporosis for New Zealand women.
The burden of illness of osteoporosis in New Zealand is substantial. Prevalence estimates based on international research suggest that up to 30% of postmenopausal women may have osteoporosis. The projected increase in population of women aged >or= 60 years suggests that the burden of illness associated with osteoporosis will escalate. Currently, cost estimates in New Zealand for specific procedures are severely limited by the absence of a comprehensive, nationwide, case-mix system of costing. In this analysis, first-year total direct costs of hospitalisation, recovery and residential care associated with osteoporotic hip fractures, assuming an annual incidence of 1537.63 such fractures in New Zealand women aged > or = 60 years, were estimated at $NZ41,684,460 [1995 dollars ($NZ1 = $US0.65 in 1995)]. Second-year costs were $NZ24,952,895. The combined total over 2 years post-hip fracture was estimated to be $NZ66,637,355. Annual non-hip fracture costs for women aged > or = 45 years were estimated at $NZ4 401 248. Pharmacotherapy data for the treatment of osteoporosis indicate that the societal costs of treating the diagnosed condition for men and women in New Zealand are $NZ3 385 590 per year (1995 dollars).
Lane
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Independent Research Economist, Auckland, New Zealand.
D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology