OBJECTIVES: This study aims at estimating the health and economic burden of osteoporosis and quantifying the impact of increasing access to more effective treatments for osteoporosis in Singapore from 2017 to 2035.

METHODS: Population projections for Singapore from 2017-2035 will be used to project the population at risk. The prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence rates of fractures are used along with relative risks of osteoporotic fractures to forecast the incidence rate of osteoporotic fractures. Total number of fractures, mortality due to fractures, total costs (direct and indirect costs) are then estimated. The health and economic impact of two scenarios will be evaluated: (i) status-quo model – assumes a “business-as-usual” scenario, and (ii) treatment model – assumes increased access to effective treatment option(s) to osteoporosis patients.

RESULTS: In the status-quo model, the total economic burden associated with osteoporosis was estimated at up to S$203.5 million in 2017, forecast to increase to S$437.2 million by 2035. In the treatment model, by assuming a 30% increase in access to denosumab, it could save 3,142 lives, avert 17,532 fractures, and generate cumulative total cost savings of S$263 million over the forecast period (2017-35) in Singapore.

CONCLUSIONS: The burden of osteoporosis and related fractures in Singapore is substantial and increasing. Results from this analysis shed light on the opportunity associated with increasing access to more effective osteoporosis treatment in saving lives, avoiding fractures and reducing total healthcare costs in Singapore.