MARKETWATCH: Implications Of Expanding Disease Definitions: The Case Of Osteoporosis

The National Osteoporosis Foundation and American College of Obstetrics-Gynecology have expanded osteoporosis therapy recommendations by changing the treatment threshold. We determined the impact of this recommendation using nationally representative U.S. data. The new threshold changes the number o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health affairs (Millwood, Va.) Va.), 2007-11, Vol.26 (6), p.1702
Main Authors: Herndon, M Brooke, Schwartz, Lisa M, Woloshin, Steven, Welch, H Gilbert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Bone density
Bones
Data collection
Disease
Fractures
Gynecology
Hip joint
Hospitals
Medical treatment
Obstetrics
Osteoporosis
Patients
Risk factors
Standard deviation
Studies
Task forces
White people
Women
Womens health
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Summary:The National Osteoporosis Foundation and American College of Obstetrics-Gynecology have expanded osteoporosis therapy recommendations by changing the treatment threshold. We determined the impact of this recommendation using nationally representative U.S. data. The new threshold changes the number of women for whom treatment is recommended from 6.4 million to 10.8 million among women age sixty-five and older (at a net cost of at least $28 billion) and from 1.6 million to 4.0 million among women ages 50-64 (at a net cost of at least $18 billion). Whether or not offering treatment to these additional women will reduce the number of hip fractures is unknown. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0278-2715
1544-5208
DOI:10.1377/hlthaff.26.6.1702