The burden-of-illness study on osteoporosis in the Slovenian female population

Study objective This burden-of-illness study on osteoporosis was performed with the main goal to estimate the economic implications of osteoporosis for the Slovenian healthcare system. Methods A variety of sources was used to quantify the utilization of resources in 2003, and the appropriate unit costs were assigned to the identified resources. Main outcome measures The study included all direct and indirect costs that arise from treatment of osteoporosis and consequent hip, spine and wrist fractures in total Slovene postmenopausal population in 2003. Results We estimated the total burden of postmenopausal osteoporosis in Slovenia for 2003 to be over SIT 7.55 billion (approximately €31.5 million); among that, 45% or SIT 3.39 billion (€14.2 million) belong to drug expenditures for osteoporosis treatment and prevention; 29% or SIT 2.2 billion (€9.2 million) include indirect costs for osteoporosis morbidity and mortality, and 26% or SIT 1.95 billion (€8.1 million) belong to direct costs for treatment, hospitalization, and rehabilitation of osteoporotic fractures. Total costs on osteoporotic fractures were however subject to an approximation due to the expert panel-based estimate of proportion of osteoporosis-caused fractures and the limited data on resource utilization for fracture treatment. Conclusion Osteoporosis is a costly disease with a significant burden to society and needs to be viewed as an important problem with a complex long-term impact.