Associations of Healthcare Utilization and Health Expenditures in Older Adults With Osteoarthritis: Korean Health Panel Survey Study

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the association between healthcare utilization and expenditures, including non-covered services in Korean older adults with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 Korean Health Panel (KHP) annual data of participants aged ≥ 60 years who had OA. Healthcare utilization and expenditures were determined by hospitalization, outpatient, and emergency visits. A generalized linear model was used to examine healthcare utilization and expenditures associated with OA.

Results: Among the 5877 participants, 1645 (27.9%) had OA. Participants with OA had higher healthcare utilization (Increment = 6.5 visits, SE = 0.8, p < 0.0001) and expenditures (Increment = USD 432.8, SE = 111.8, p = 0.0001) compared to those without OA. The increase in utilization was primarily in outpatient visits (Increment = 6.4 visits, SE = 0.8, p < 0.0001), especially at clinics (Increment = 5.6 visits, SE = 0.9, p < 0.0001). Healthcare expenditures were also higher for both inpatient (Increment = USD 200.9, SE = 89.8, p = 0.0254) and outpatient visits (Increment = USD 236.6, SE = 51.7, p < 0.0001). Male with OA spent higher cost (USD 242.9) on outpatient visits than non-OA participants. In contrast, females with OA reported higher expenditures for both inpatient (USD 301.3) and outpatient (USD 259.6) visits than those without OA.

Conclusions: OA was associated with a significant increase in healthcare utilization and expenditure. Appropriate strategies are required to reduce the burden of OA. Further study is required to explore how various healthcare facilities might be used together to provide safe and cost-efficient treatment for OA patients within the healthcare system and in the community.