Physical functionning is the most severely affected health-related quality of life dimension during the aging process

in Osteoporosis International (2005, March), 16(Suppl.3), 25-26

Health-related quality of life and cost of ambulatory care in osteoporosis: how may such outcome measures be valuable information to health decision makers and payers?

in BONE (2003), 32(6), 718-724

The objective was to quantify the outcome of osteoporosis (OP) in terms of health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and cost of ambulatory care and to look at the association between these two outcomes ... [more ▼]

The objective was to quantify the outcome of osteoporosis (OP) in terms of health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and cost of ambulatory care and to look at the association between these two outcomes variables. A cross-sectional health survey of 4800 Belgian individuals over the age of 45 years was used. Individuals having reported OP were retrieved and for each of them, at least two matched individuals for age, sex, residency location, and health insurance status were identified. All individuals were assessed with the SF-36. The two major health insurance providers furnished cost value for ambulatory care. HR-QOL and cost data were compared between the OP group and control group. Beta-coefficients from linear regression were calculated to give information on the relative importance of the association between each SF-36 dimensions and cost of ambulatory care. Of 4796 individuals appropriately surveyed, 221 (4.8%) reported OP. The control group included 651 individuals. The OP group experienced impaired HR-QOL compared to their matched counterparts, all the difference in mean or median SF-36 scores being significant at the level of P < 0.001. Osteoporotic respondents averaged 816 in cost of ambulatory care whereas controls averaged 579 (P < 0.001). When looking at detailed comparisons between categories of cost, costs in the OP group far exceeded those in the control group, all the differences being significant at the level of P < 0.001 except for home health nurse (P = 0.012). In the OP group, vitality dimensions played the most important role in the determination of cost (beta = -0.28, P < 0.001), followed by physical functioning (beta = -0.26, P < 0.01), general health, and social functioning (beta = -0.23, P < 0.01). This study evidences the burden of OP in terms of HR-QOL and cost of ambulatory care. Exploring the association between HR-QOL and cost show that mental dimension such as vitality can play an important role in the determination of cost. Conclusively, they should not be neglected in future management of OP. [less ▲]

Collaboration entre la première et la deuxième ligne : une analyse. Volet complémentaire du projet de recherche : « Accompagnement ambulatoire des patients à haut risque de réhospitalisation et/ou institutionnalisation ».

Report (2002)

Accompagnement ambulatoire des patients à haut risque de réhospitalisation et/ou institutionnalisation. Synthèse.

Report (2002)

Intensive and Prolonged Health Promotion Strategy May Increase Awareness of Osteoporosis among Postmenopausal Women

in Osteoporosis International (2001), 12(2), 131-5

The aim of the study was to measure the results of a 15-year health promotion strategy towards osteoporosis, in an urban community of subjects over 45 years old, in terms of osteoporosis awareness and ... [more ▼]

The aim of the study was to measure the results of a 15-year health promotion strategy towards osteoporosis, in an urban community of subjects over 45 years old, in terms of osteoporosis awareness and handling. To this end an ancillary study to a large survey of the Belgian population's self-perceived health status was carried out. A rectangular sample of 4800 individuals over 45 years old was randomly selected in two Belgian cities, among the affiliates of the two main health insurance providers. One of the cities (Liege) had been, since the early 1980s, the target of a constant health promotion strategy, directed to both the medical community and the general population, aimed at increasing osteoporosis awareness in women after the menopause. During the same period, no particular steps were taken in the other city (Aalst) to increase osteoporosis awareness in the community. In our study, the participants were asked to spontaneously report any chronic, serious and/or severe disorders that they had been suffering from, for at least 6 months, during the previous 12 months. They also provided a list of drugs they were taking at the time of the survey. Osteoporosis was reported to be a disease affecting 1.5% of men in Aalst and 1.3% of men in Liege (p = 0.61). For women, osteoporosis was reported to be present in 4.8% in Aalst and 10.8% in Liege (p<0.001). Self-reporting of osteoporosis prevalence in Liege was statistically significantly higher in women aged 45-64 years, 65-74 years or over 75 years (p<0.001). Obesity, alcohol consumption or physical activity were equally distributed between women from Liege and Aalst. Prescription drugs used for osteoporosis had been delivered to a similar proportion of men in Aalst and Liege. In women, a statistically significant difference in these prescription drugs was observed between Liege and Aalst, both for the overall population (p<0.001) and in each of the age classes (p<0.001 for 45-64 years and 65-74 years; p<0.009 for over 75 years). A continuous long-term health promotion strategy, directed toward both physicians and the general population, thus appears to increase awareness about osteoporosis in women over 45 years and/or in the medical community. This is reflected by an increase in self-reported prevalence of osteoporosis and in the prescription of drugs aimed at prevention and treatment of this disorder. Whether these observations reflect an appropriate diagnosis and a proper handling of the disease remains to be evaluated by objective diagnostic tools such as bone densitometry and by an evaluation of the effectiveness of prescription practices in postmenopausal women. [less ▲]

Health-related quality of life and cost of ambulatory care in osteopororis . May such outcome measures be valuable information to health decision makers and payers ?

in Osteoporosis International (2000), 11(S5), 5-6

Communication strategy increases osteoporosis awareness in postmenopausal women

in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (1999), 14(S1), 385

Declared chronic morbidity after 45 years : Results from a population survey in Belgium

Conference (1997)

Drug consumption in a Belgian subpopulation of peaple older than 45 years

Conference (1997)

Fidélité du patient au médecin généraliste et consommation des soins de santé : une approche multivariée. Dans le cadre du projet “ Dossier médical ” de l’I.N.A.M.I., Rapport final de synthèse

Report (1997)