Impact of coexisting overactive bladder in Medicare patients with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and overactive bladder (OAB) are prevalent conditions in older adults and are independent risk factors for falls and fractures. A paucity of evidence exists examining the impact of coexisting OAB in patients with osteoporosis.

To examine the impact of OAB on healthcare resource utilization (HRU), clinical outcomes, and healthcare costs among older adult patients with osteoporosis.

This retrospective analysis compared patients with osteoporosis with and without OAB. Patients with an osteoporosis diagnosis, enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and aged 65-89 inclusive were eligible. Incident OAB among patients with prevalent osteoporosis was identified. A comparison group of patients with osteoporosis but no evidence of OAB was propensity score matched on baseline characteristics. Fall and/or fracture outcomes, HRU and healthcare costs were evaluated during 12 months of follow-up. Bivariate comparisons of outcomes were conducted. Ordinary least squared regression was used to examine the relationship between OAB and total healthcare costs.

After matching, 5,526 patients in each group were included. Patients with osteoporosis and OAB demonstrated greater all-cause HRU across all encounter types compared to patients without OAB (all P values<0.001). Patients with osteoporosis and OAB had a greater frequency of any fall/fracture (17.7% vs. 14.9%, P<0.001). Patients with osteoporosis and OAB had 35% greater all-cause total healthcare costs than patients without OAB (P<0.001).

Patients with OAB and osteoporosis had significantly greater all-cause HRU and costs. Falls and fractures were significantly more common in patients with osteoporosis and OAB compared to patients with osteoporosis without OAB.