Arthritis is one of the most common chronic medical condition and the most common cause of crippling in the United States. It affects more than 70 million Americans and that figure is expected to rise sharply with the graying" of the baby boomers generation.
In fact, arthritis as a huge economic albatross" will be a significant problem to contend with as a result of the increase in numbers of persons affected, rather than an increase in mean expenditures and earnings losses," according to Charles G. Helmick, M.D., at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He bases his conclusion on a nationwide assessment of medical expenditures and earnings losses associated with arthritis in 2003, compared with figures six years before.
The report was commissioned because of growing concerns about the economic burden of arthritis, fueled by rapidly rising medical costs due to advances in joint replacement surgery as well as to the increasing use of pricey biologic drugs.
When the price tag for these medical advances are added to the burgeoning population of aging baby boomers, an exponential increase in costs is seen.
A team of researchers derived estimates for 2003 from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS), a national probability sample of households. They collected medical care expenditures of adult respondents, stratified by arthritis status, and used sophisticated statistical methods to assess the growth of medical expenditures due to arthritis and related conditions. They also calculated the earnings losses of working-age adults with these disabling conditions. Then, they compared estimates for 2003 with those from 1997, inflated to 2003 terms.
The statistics are staggering...
Between 1997 and 2003, the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions increased from 36.8 million adults (18.7 percent of the population) to 46.1 million adults (21.5 percent of the population). And that figure is much higher now according to estimates made by the Arthritis Foundation.
Between 1997 and 2003, expenditures for arthritis medications almost doubled. The increase in spending for prescription drugs was a result of both the mean number of prescriptions, from 18.7 to 25.2 per person, and the mean cost per prescription, from $48 to $65. During this period, inpatient (hospital) expenditures declined from $508 to $352 per person. As a result, the average total spent on medical care for an individual with arthritis remained surprisingly stable: $1,762 in 1997 and $1,752 in 2003.
In 2003, Americans spent a total of $80.8 billion on medical care for arthritis, compared with $64.8 billion in 1997. Researchers attributed this rise to the increase in the number of persons 18 years and older with arthritis.
In 2003, employed adults with arthritis earned an average of $3,613 less than healthy working adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Nationwide, earnings losses due to arthritis amounted to $108 billion, up from $99 billion in 1997.
Since the number of arthritis sufferers is projected to increase steadily, the economic picture is very gloomy.
Exactly how to cut medical expenses and also increase the ability of patients with arthritis to earn more income is still not clear.
Perhaps, earlier diagnosis, more aggressive and effective therapies, and more programs aimed at wellness will help.
The message is clear though. As people live longer, they will have to live healthier as well. One bright spot appears to be the renewed emphasis on better nutrition and exercise. Perhaps this will enable the brakes to be applied to this runaway" arthritis cost vehicle.
