Abstract
Introduction and Aims: To define the economic and health costs of waiting for THJR surgery.
Method: A prospective cohort of 122 patients requiring primary total hip arthroplasty (HA) was recruited from four hospitals. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) using self-completed WOMAC questionnaires was assessed monthly from enrolment pre-operatively to six months post-surgery. Monthly cost diaries were used to record medical, personal and other costs. Data was analysed using PC-SAS to test the strength of associations between costs and waiting times, and changes in HRQL pre- and post-surgery.
Results: The mean waiting time was 5.2 months, and the mean cost of waiting for surgery was NZ$1376 per person per month, with medical, personal, and social costs contributing NZ$404, NZ$399, NZ$573, respectively. Waiting for more than six months was associated with an increased cost of NZ$730 per patient per month for a total cost of NZ$2177 per patient per month. Age was correlated with greater loss of income and higher medical costs. An incremental improvement over time in WOMAC scores post-operatively was identified. Older age, community services card use and a greater number of months waiting were negatively correlated with post-surgical improvement.
Conclusion: Longer waits for HA incur greater economic costs and impact on patient recovery. This shows that shorter waiting time for HA significantly reduces costs to individuals and society and improves health outcomes.
These abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary, George Sikorski. Correspondence should be addressed to Australian Orthopaedic Association, Ground Floor, The William Bland Centre, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
At least one of the authors is receiving or has received material benefits or support from a commercial source.
