Objective: To estimate the total incidence and direct medical expenditure in the treatment of osteoporotic fragility fracture in Korea. Osteoporotic fragility fractures may cause a significant public health problem which could dramatically change the quality of life for patients and their families not only due to a loss of patient independence, significant disability and even death also enormous economic burden. Korea is moving toward an aged society at the fastest pace in the world. As with many other countries, Korea expects to see rapid increase of osteoporotic fragility fracture. However, there are no reports on the economic burden of osteoporotic fragility fracture in Korea.
Methods: Total incidence and direct medical expenditures for the treatment of osteoporotic fragility fracture were estimated using Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) data from 2011 to 2014.
Results: The incidence of fragility fracture is rapidly increasing with increasing ageing population. Annual incidence of osteoporosis related fragility fracture in Korea is about 1039454 cases in 2011, 1090256 cases in 2012, 11159446 cases in 2013 and 1149404 cases in 2014 according to the HIRA data. Total annual medical expenditure only for surgery was 170 million US dollar in 2010, 197 million in 2013 increased almost 15% during the 3 years. Economic burden due to osteoporotic fragility fracture will affect not only nation's economy but also make economic crisis of individual family. That's why secondary prevention of fragility fracture is important both society and nation. Dedicated team approach could provide comprehensive bone health care after fracture ? including diagnosis, treatment, education, and research for patients that have incurred a fragility fracture. Systematic approach for prevention of the secondary fracture including assessments, coordinates lab, radiology and pharmacy services could offer specialized treatment. However, all with the goal and focus of promoting bone health, reducing fracture risks, accelerating healing, and preventing re-fractures is not yet established in Korea.
Conclusions: Secondary fracture prevention system is strongly necessary to improve the life quality for elderly person with osteoporosis and to reduce the economic burden of society and nation.
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