AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study was to summarise the impact of medical care and related costs due to the treatment of osteoarthritis in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from different health care institutions, government authorities and public health insurances for the year 2002 were analysed. Amount and cost of acute and rehabilitation treatments (in-patient as well as out-patient), sickness leave and early retirement related to osteoarthritis were estimated. RESULTS: Advanced hip and knee osteoarthritis have a high socioeconomic impact in Germany. The number of people affected is growing, as is the overall incidence of joint replacement, especially knee arthroplasties and the percentage of in-patient rehabilitation for osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that the direct and indirect costs attributable to osteoarthritis are substantial and the resulting socioeconomic burden is significant. Since age is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis, the demographic changes will lead to an increased need for medical treatment of osteoarthritis patients in the future.
AIM OF STUDY: The aim of this study was to summarise the impact of medical care and related costs due to the treatment of osteoarthritis in Germany. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from different health care institutions, government authorities and public health insurances for the year 2002 were analysed. Amount and cost of acute and rehabilitation treatments (in-patient as well as out-patient), sickness leave and early retirement related to osteoarthritis were estimated. RESULTS: Advanced hip and knee osteoarthritis have a high socioeconomic impact in Germany. The number of people affected is growing, as is the overall incidence of joint replacement, especially knee arthroplasties and the percentage of in-patient rehabilitation for osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that the direct and indirect costs attributable to osteoarthritis are substantial and the resulting socioeconomic burden is significant. Since age is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis, the demographic changes will lead to an increased need for medical treatment of osteoarthritispatients in the future.
Authors: H J Bieleman; M W van Ittersum; J W Groothoff; J C M Oostveen; F G J Oosterveld; C P van der Schans; R Soer; M F Reneman Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2010-05-21 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Sandra I Sulsky; Laura Carlton; Frank Bochmann; Rolf Ellegast; Ulrich Glitsch; Bernd Hartmann; Dirk Pallapies; D Seidel; Yi Sun Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-02-14 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ulrich Thiem; Rainer Lamsfuß; Sven Günther; Jochen Schumacher; Christian Bäker; Heinz G Endres; Josef Zacher; Gerd R Burmester; Ludger Pientka Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-04-30 Impact factor: 3.240