Open AccessA multicenter study of hospitalization in rheumatoid arthritis. Frequency, medical‐surgical admissions, and charges
Author(s) -
Wolfe Frederick,
Kleinheksel Sue M.,
Spitz Patricia W.,
Lubeck Deborah P.,
Fries James F.,
Young Donald Y.,
Mitchell Donald,
Roth Sanford
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780290505
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , surgery , medical costs , wrist , knee joint , joint disease , foot (prosody) , reconstructive surgery , physical therapy , osteoarthritis , health care , alternative medicine , pathology , economics , economic growth , linguistics , philosophy
During 1981, 123 of 816 patients (15.1%) with rheumatoid arthritis were hospitalized 160 times because of the disease. The mean length of hospitalization was 13.1 days, and the cost $7,845. Surgery accounted for 54.4% of admissions, but 69.2% of costs. The average cost for total joint surgery was $12,287. Most medical admissions (46.6%) were for the diagnosis or treatment of articular disease, but 42.5% were for treatment of side effects of therapy, and 11.0% for complications of RA. The most commonly performed surgical procedures included reconstructive surgery of the hand/wrist (n = 35) and foot (n = 22), followed by total knee replacement (n = 18).