[Resource utilization and costs in osteoporosis].
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, deterioration of the microarchitecture of the bone tissue and increase susceptibility to fractures. Clinical manifestations are fractures and their complications. The most common fractures are hip,spine and wrist, although any bone is susceptible.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the resource utilization and the annual costs incurred by patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis


METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients were studied in the Universidade Federal de São Paulo. The inclusion criteria were: postmenopausal osteoporosis (WHO 1994) for at least one year b) at least one year attending the outpatient clinic, minimal comprehensive and speaking conditions. The socioeconomic and clinical characteristics, the resource utilization and costs in the last year were assessed using 2 questionnaires. The unitary costs were based in the Public Healthcare System Index (1998).


RESULTS
The mean age was 66 years and the monthly family income was R$ 534.14 (US$ 456 - in 1998). There was a mean of 7 visits/patient/ year. 77% of the patients used calcium and 38% used estrogens. The mean total annual costs for osteoporosis treatment, considering societal perspective, were R$ 908.18 (US$ 776-in 1998) per patient per year.


CONCLUSIONS
The costs related to osteoporosis treatment represented 11% of the mean monthly household income from the patients' perspective (R$ 534=US$ 456). As the population is ageing and the osteoporosis incidence is increasing, health policy should be implemented to rationally allocate the scarce resources available, based on economic analysis.
Kowalski
S C
SC
Disciplina de Reumatologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP. sergiokowalski@ig.com.br
Sjenzfeld
V L
VL
Ferraz
M B
MB
D000368:Aged; D003361:Cost Allocation; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors