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Hospitalised osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Spain: Analysis of the national hospital discharge registry

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Abstract

Summary

This population-based study reveals clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of hospitalised osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures and indicates an association with a substantial hospital burden in Spain. These data provide a basis for assessing the impact of these fractures on the Spanish health-care system and to estimate future care requirements.

Introduction

Vertebral fractures (VF) are recognised as the most frequent complication of osteoporosis. Our objective was to determine the clinico-epidemiological characteristics and health-care burden of hospitalised VF in Spain.

Method

From the 2002 National Hospital Discharge Register, records for all osteoporosis-related VF in the Spanish population aged ≥30 years and over were retrieved. Diagnostic categories included the ICD-9-CM codes 805 and 733.xx. Population data were drawn from the National Statistics Institute.

Results

In total, 7,100 records were eligible for analysis. According to Deyo-adapted Charlson index, 62% of cases had no associated comorbidity. VF were the cause of hospitalisation in 52% of cases. Overall in-hospital mortality was 3.5%. Men had higher adjusted mortality than women. Mean hospital stay was 11.4±0.2 days. Identified cases amounted to a hospitalisation rate of 2.76 cases per 10,000 population aged ≥30 years. Direct inpatient hospital costs exceeded €41million and accounted for 0.078% of Spanish expenditure on hospitalisations and specialised care in 2002.

Conclusions

The national discharge database reveals epidemiological features of hospitalised osteoporosis-attributable VF and indicates an association with a substantial hospital burden in Spain. Our data provide a basis for assessing the impact of these fractures on the Spanish health-care system and to estimate future care requirements.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Spanish National I+D Program (SEC 2001–0138). C. Bouza is the recipient of a post-doctoral contract from the Dirección General de Universidades e Investigación, Consejería de Educación de la Comunidad de Madrid (n° 02/0381/2002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agency for Health Technology Assessment, Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs, Madrid, Spain

    C. Bouza, T. López, M. Palma & J. M. Amate

  2. Agency for Health Technology Assessment, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Sinesio Delgado 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain

    C. Bouza

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  1. C. Bouza
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  2. T. López
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  3. M. Palma
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  4. J. M. Amate
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Correspondence to C. Bouza.

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Bouza, C., López, T., Palma, M. et al. Hospitalised osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Spain: Analysis of the national hospital discharge registry. Osteoporos Int 18, 649–657 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-006-0292-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-006-0292-x

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