Epidemiology and cost of conservative treatment of patients with degenerative joint disease of the hip and knee.

BACKGROUND Degenerative joint disease most often affects middle-aged and elderly people. Patients over 65 years of age are frequently afflicted. The pain and limitation of mobility in joints are the cause of disability and reduced quality of life and lead to a decision to carry out total replacement surgery of the affected joint. Conservative treatment is often a palliative modality that generates high treatment costs. This study presents the results of an analysis of the cost of conservative treatment in patients with degenerative disease of the hip and knee joints in the Podkarpacie Province undergoing treatment between January 2004 and October 2005. MATERIAL AND METHOD Data were obtained from reports submitted by medical care centers contracted by the Podkarpacie Regional Branch of the National Health Fund concerning the number of patients hospitalized at rehabilitation, rheumatology and orthopedic departments, the number of physiotherapeutic treatments carried out at physiotherapy centers and the cost of treatment of patients with degenerative disease of the hip and knee joints. RESULTS Between January 2004 and October 2005, patients with degenerative joint disease of the hip and knee constituted approximately 10% of patients hospitalized at rehabilitation, rheumatology and orthopedic departments or receiving care at physiotherapy centers. CONCLUSIONS 1. The cost of treatment of degenerative joint disease is high and tends to increase both in Poland and in the world. 2. Treatment costs and incidence can be reduced through the use of established standards of conservative treatment and comprehensive prevention programs.