Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip: Assessing functional and pharmacoeconomic outcomes in Singapore

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) leads to not only the substantial reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) but also the significant increase in healthcare resources utilization. The objectives of the present project were to identify and validate the most appropriate HRQoL instruments to be used in OA patients and to estimate the direct, indirect, and intangible costs of OA in Singapore. By using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, the Oxford knee score, the Lequesne Algofunctional Index of knee, and the EQ-5D are determined as the most appropriate HRQoL instruments to be used in HRQoL and pharmacoeconomic evaluations in Singapore. Besides, OA also imposes a substantial economic burden on patients and the society as a whole. The direct, indirect, and intangible costs of OA to the society and the patients could increase by more than three-folds in patients with the progression of the disease.