Healthcare Costs of Osteoporotic Fracture in Korea: Information from the National Health Insurance Claims Database, 2008-2011

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study estimated healthcare costs of osteoporotic fractures including spine, hip, distal radius and humerus in Koreans over 50 years of age using national claims data.MethodsKorea National Health Insurance data between 2008 and 2011 was searched for all claims records of outpatient visits or hospital admissions of patients ≥50-year-of-age. Osteoporosis-related fractures were identified using certain the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes and site-specific physician claims for procedures in a patient age cut-off value of 50 years. The healthcare costs included acute phase costs accounting for emergency medical care given immediately after fracture, costs due to further hospitalization and surgical procedures, physiotherapy sessions according to the site of the fracture, and outpatient visits in the year after discharge.ResultsThe total estimated healthcare costs of osteoporotic fractures in 2011 was $722 million. From 2008 to 2011, the total number and healthcare costs of osteoporotic fractures increased 28.9% (from 127,070 to 163,823) and 31.6% (from $549 million to $722 million), respectively. The portion of national health care expenditure was ranged from 2.3% in 2008 to 2.2% in 2011. The mean healthcare cost of osteoporotic fractures per person increased 2.1% from $4,321 in 2008 to $4,410 in 2011.The mean healthcare costs were highest for hip fractures followed by spine, humerus, and distal radius fractures.ConclusionsTotal Healthcare costs of osteoporotic fractures in South Koreans ≥50-year-of-age increased between 2008 and 2011. This trend will likely continue, which is an important health problem in the elderly population and economically.

Incidence and Management Trends of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

“…The age-adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 persons was 840.49 in 2012 and 869.68 in 2016, while the sex-adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 persons was 360.63 men and 1,185.31 women in 2012 compared to 352.54 men and 1,222.14 women in 2016. Both indices were considerably higher in 2016 compared to 2012, as also reported by Kim et al [9], who analyzed the HIRA data for 2008-2011. They found that the age-adjusted incidence rate increased continuously from 1,127 per 100,000 persons in 2008 to 1,295 per 100,000 persons in 2011 and was higher in women.…”

“…In terms of management trends, the rate of bone cement augmentation increased, while the rate of conservative treatment decreased. These findings showed an upward trend, which was seen in the NHIS data for 2008 to 2011 [9]. According to the NHIS data for 2008-2011, the total healthcare costs of osteoporotic fractures increased from $549 million in 2008 to $722 million in 2011.…”

Relationship between Bone Density, Eating Habit, and Nutritional Intake in College Students

“…Recently, the prevalence of osteoporosis and cost of health insurance for patients with osteoporosis as well as its social burden have been steadily increasing. [ 15 ] Therefore, it is best to prevent osteoporosis through aggressive management in young adulthood.…”

“…Nicotine in tobacco has been shown to decrease estrogen secretion, which inhibits calcium dissolution in bone, and to accelerate the conversion of estradiol to lower metabolites, thus affecting calcium and vitamin D metabolism. [ 22 ] According to Kim et al[ 15 ], rate of fast food intake was 72%, followed by hamburgers, fried potatoes, chicken, and pizza. Calcium intake was the most insufficient among the nutrients.…”

A Missed Opportunity to Prevent Subsequent Fractures Confirmed through Trends in the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Patients with Distal Radius and Hip Fractures

“…Osteoporosis and OFs (i.e., DRFs, HFs, spine, and humerus fractures) are becoming more important health problems in the elderly [13]. OFs reduce quality of life and cause medical expenses in the elderly [14,15].…”