Abstract

Objectives

With Singapore’s ageing population, the prevalence of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is expected to rise, imposing significant challenges to healthcare systems. Total knee replacement has proved to be effective for treating KOA but is the last option because of its high cost and risk. Understanding the cost implications of KOA can guide healthcare professionals and policy makers in developing targeted approaches to mitigate the economic burden and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

We estimated the economic burden of KOA from a societal perspective using the prevalence-based human capital approach. Cost data were based on self-reporting data from the Singapore Knee Osteoarthritis Cohort Study, supplemented by hospital-reported charges and publicly available sources.

Results

The total economic cost of KOA in Singapore in 2021 was approximately S$1.37 billion (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: S$817 million to S$2.31 billion), in which the annual cost per capita was S$7000 (95% UI: S$4260 to S$12 100). The annual direct cost was S$388 million (95% UI: S$201 million to S$912 million), and the indirect cost was S$980 million (95% UI: S$515 million to S$1.78 billion).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study in Singapore to estimate the societal cost of KOA based on a prospective cohort study. Productivity loss is a major driver of the societal cost of KOA. These findings underscore the pressing need for a holistic spectrum of interventions and policies to address the escalating costs associated with KOA. It is crucial to focus on preventing and managing the progression of knee pain and avoiding the necessity for total knee replacement surgeries.