OBJECTIVES: To estimate direct medical cost of treating patient with osteoporosis in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A retrospective single-center study among adult patients with osteoporosis. All healthcare resources used during the study period were quantified. A bottom-up costing approach was conducted to estimate the healthcare resources use and to calculate the total direct medical cost for the treatment of osteoporosis and related fracture. The unit of analysis was the average cost per patient per year.

RESULTS: The study included a total of 511 osteoporosis patient, 93% were female. The average (SD) age was 68.5 (10.2). The mean direct medical costs for non-fracture were $ 651.9 per patient and for osteoporotic fracture the mean direct cost were $ 11900 patient of which 56% was attributable to surgery procedures. Prior to fracture the main cost components were medication which represented 57% and diagnostic imaging (27%).

CONCLUSIONS: Finding of this study indicate the economic impact of osteoporosis and related fracture. As of growing aging population in Saudi Arabia, the burden of disease could increase significantly, which highlight the need for effective prevention strategies to minimize the economic burden of osteoporosis.