Healthcare Resource Utilization and Direct Medical Costs for Patients With Osteoporotic Fractures in China.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate annual healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs for patients with osteoporotic fractures in China.

METHODS: Data were obtained from the Tianjin Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance database (2008-2011). Included patients were 50 years or older with one or more diagnoses of osteoporotic fractures between 2009 and 2010. The annual healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs were estimated. Regression model was applied to identify factors associated with the direct medical costs.

RESULTS: A total of 5941 patients were included (mean age, 65.9 years; women, 62.1%; retired, 88.2%). During the 12 months after a fracture, the annual mean all-cause cost was $2549 per patient. Osteoporosis-related costs accounted for 53.8% of the total costs; 92.0% of these costs were for inpatient services. For osteoporosis-related health services, 33.2% of the patients experienced at least 1 hospitalization, with a mean cost of $3010 per admission; 83.2% of the patients experienced at least 1 outpatient visit, with a mean cost of $18 per visit during the 12-month follow-up period. The regression model revealed that osteoporosis-related costs tended to increase with age, and patients with hip, vertebral, lower leg, and multiple fractures were more likely to have higher costs.

CONCLUSIONS: Costs for patients with osteoporotic fractures were considerable in China, driven mainly by osteoporosis-related hospitalizations. Efforts focused on reducing the utilization of inpatient services by lowering the fracture risks may lighten the economic burden of osteoporotic fractures in China.