Direct cost of medical care in patients with gonarthrosis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Gonarthrosis, or osteoarthritis of the knee, is a prevalent condition affecting individuals over 40.
• Understanding the economic impact of gonarthrosis is crucial for healthcare resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the overall cost of medical care for patients diagnosed with gonarthrosis.
• To analyze the economic burden of gonarthrosis in relation to its prevalence.

Main Methods:

• A cost study was conducted on patients over 40 diagnosed with gonarthrosis using the Kellgren and Lawrence radiological classification.
• Average annual costs were estimated by summing unit costs and average service utilization (family medicine, imaging, physical therapy, surgery, etc.).
• Three cost scenarios (low, intermediate, high) were projected.

Main Results:

• Grade 2 gonarthrosis was the most common diagnosis (39.7%).
• The estimated annual cost per patient ranged from €86.73 (low scenario) to €132.60 (high scenario), with an intermediate scenario cost of €108.87.
• For a population of over 10.9 million gonarthrosis patients, the total annual cost was estimated at over €1.19 billion, representing 4.48% of total health expenditure.

Conclusions:

• While the average annual cost per patient with gonarthrosis is modest, its high prevalence translates into a substantial economic challenge for healthcare systems.
• The findings highlight the need for effective management strategies to mitigate the financial impact of gonarthrosis.