Healthcare costs and loss of productivity in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis

The objective of this study was to analyse healthcare and productivity costs in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. We included 161 patients who received surgery or steroid injection and calculated their healthcare costs in Euro (Euro) over 1year. Patients filled out the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire to assess loss of productivity at baseline, and after 3, and 12months. In the surgical group, loss of productivity among employed patients first increased and then decreased (50%, 64%, and 25% at 0, 3, and 12months). Productivity was more stable over time in the injection group (52%, 38%, and 48%). In the surgical group, estimated total annual healthcare and productivity costs were Euro5770 and Euro5548, respectively. In the injection group, healthcare and productivity costs were Euro348 and Euro3503. These findings highlight the need for assessing productivity costs to get a comprehensive view of the costs associated with a treatment. Level of Evidence III