Objective: To assess the direct cost during hospitalization for an osteoporotic hip fracture in Brazilian private health care system, by health plan companies' perspective.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional and retrospective study on costs of medical resources in patients above 50 years with an osteoporotic hip fracture, under hospital treatment, between July 2003 and June 2004. The study sample was collected from electronic claims databases of patients enrolled in Brazilian health plans.
Results: There were 129,611 patients with osteoporosis diagnosis. The incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture was 4.99% (women). The mean length of hospital stay was 9.21 days (2.13 days in ICU). The total mean cost of hospitalization was R$ 24,000. The largest cost component was attributable to medical device (61%). The economic burden of osteoporotic hip fracture to health plan companies was estimated in R$ 12 million.
Conclusion: The costs of treating osteoporotic hip fracture are substantial in Brazilian private health care system. This study highlights the savings to health plan companies if an osteoporotic hip fracture can be avoided.