OBJECTIVES

: Multiple Osteochondroma (MO) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease, characterized by the multifocal occurrence of primarily benign osteochondromas. The typical localization close to epiphyseal plates may lead to reduction of longitudinal growth, mobility and pain. Causal are loss-of-function mutations in the genes EXT1 and EXT2 which are coding glycosyltransferases. Assumed incidence is 1:50,000. 70% of the patients with inherited form, 30% new mutation. Individual expression of MO is very variable. Current treatment is surgical removal of osteochondromas and correction of deformities.

Few epidemiological data exist for Germany. Here over a period of 12 years inpatient stays were investigated for patients diagnosed with MO.

METHODS : Inpatient care data from Federal Statistical Office 2005-2017 and quality reports for the year 2017 were examined and evaluated. Analysis with Microsoft Excel and Access (v2016).

RESULTS

: 269 hospitalizations were coded 2017 with MO as main diagnosis (2005: 200); 230 cases with secondary diagnosis (2005: 238). Total number varied between 393 and 518 in the observational period.

The patients were treated in 87 different in-patient facilities, almost exclusively (95%) in surgical and orthopaedic Departments; 24% in university facilities. Surgical-DRG of muscular and skeletal system were coded in 97%.

Average age at surgery was 18.5y, median 14y (only HD). Male patients were on average 17.7y old, female 20.1y. There is a gap in the transition age from 18y up to 25y of age. 64.3% of cases concerned men in 2017. The average length of stay was the same for both sexes, with 4.1 days.

CONCLUSIONS : MO is an orphan disease. Unexpectedly for an autosomal diseases are the unequal distribution of the sexes and the earlier age of men in inpatient procedures. The age gap in the young adults indicates the lack of a disease-specific transition program. No exact prevalence can be derived from the hospital case data.