Direct costs of osteoporosis for New Zealand women

The burden of illness of osteoporosis in New Zealand is substantial. Prevalence estimates based on international research suggest that up to 30% of postmenopausal women may have osteoporosis. The projected increase in population of women aged greater than or equal to 60 years suggests that the burden of illness associated with osteoporosis will escalate. Currently, cost estimates in New Zealand for specific procedures are severely limited by the absence of a comprehensive, nationwide, case-mix system of costing. In this analysis, first-year total direct costs of hospitalisation, recovery and residential care associated with osteoporotic hip fractures, assuming an annual incidence of 1537.63 such fractures in New Zealand women aged greater than or equal to 60 years, were estimated at $NZ41 684 460 [1995 dollars ($NZ1 = $US0.65 in 1995)]. Second-year costs were $NZ24 952 895. The combined total over 2 years post-hip fracture was estimated to be $NZ66 637 355. Annual non-hip fracture costs for women aged greater than or equal to 45 years were estimated at $NZ4 401 248. Pharmacotherapy data for the treatment of osteoporosis indicate that the societal costs of treating the diagnosed condition for men and women in New Zealand are $NZ3 385 590 per year (1995 dollars).