Special article the economic cost and social and psychological impact of musculoskeletal conditions

Special article the economic cost and social and psychological impact of musculoskeletal conditions

Economics

To provide an indication of the economic, social, and psychological impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the United States. The cost of musculoskeletal conditions was $149.4 billion in 1992, of which 48% was due to direct medical care costs and the remainder was due to indirect costs resulting from wage losses. This amount translates to ˜2.5% of the Gross National Product, a sharp rise since the prior studies, even if part of the increase is an artifact of improved accounting methods. Each year, persons with musculoskeletal conditions make 315 million physician visits, have more than 8 million hospital admissions, and experience ˜1.5 billion days of restricted activity. Approximately 42% of persons with musculoskeletal conditions–more than 17 million in all–are limited in their activities. The economic and social costs of musculoskeletal conditions are substantial. These conditions are responsible for a sizable amount of health care use and disability, and they significantly affect the psychological status of the individuals with the conditions as well as their families.

Edward Yelin

Leigh F. Callahan

Wiley

English

Research Paper

https://doi.org/10.1002/art.1780381002Digital Object Identifier (DOI)