title: Comorbidity and healthcare expenditure in women with osteoporosis living in the basque country (Spain).
abstract: Objectives. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of multimorbidity in women diagnosed with osteoporosis and to report it by deprivation index. The characteristics of comorbidity in osteoporotic women are compared to the general female chronic population, and the impact on healthcare expenditure of this population group is estimated. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis that included all Basque Country women aged 45 years and over (N = 579,575) was performed. Sociodemographic, diagnostic, and healthcare cost data were extracted from electronic databases for a one-year period. Chronic conditions were identified from their diagnoses and prescriptions. The existence of two or more chronic diseases out of a list of 47 was defined as multimorbidity. Results. 9.12% of women presented osteoporosis and 85.04% of them were multimorbid. Although multimorbidity in osteoporosis increased with age and deprivation level, prevalence was higher in the better-off groups. Women with osteoporosis had greater risk of having other musculoskeletal disorders but less risk of having diabetes (RR = 0.65) than chronic patients without osteoporosis. People with poorer socioeconomic status had higher healthcare cost. Conclusions. Most women with osteoporosis have multimorbidity. The variety of conditions emphasises the complexity of clinical management in this group and the importance of maintaining a generalist and multidisciplinary approach to their clinical care.
authors.affiliation: O+Berri, Basque Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Torre del BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Centre), Ronda de Azkue 1, 48902 Barakaldo, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nuño-Solinis
authors.affiliation: O+Berri, Basque Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Torre del BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Centre), Ronda de Azkue 1, 48902 Barakaldo, Spain.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Pereira
authors.affiliation: O+Berri, Basque Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Torre del BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Centre), Ronda de Azkue 1, 48902 Barakaldo, Spain.
authors.forename: Edurne
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3879-9634
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso-Morán
authors.affiliation: Osakidetza, Basque Health Service, Astrabudua Health Center, Mezo 35, 48950 Erandio, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Orueta