Economic Impact and Healthcare Outcomes in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis represents a leading cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide, imposing substantial direct costs on health-care systems and indirect costs through lost productivity and diminished quality of life. Direct expenditures encompass diagnostic imaging, pharmacotherapy, surgical interventions and rehabilitation services, while indirect costs arise from absenteeism, presenteeism and early retirement. The burden is amplified by an ageing population and rising prevalence of obesity, resulting in escalating demand for joint replacement surgery and long-term management. Impaired mobility often leads to comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and depression, further increasing resource use. From a societal perspective, osteoarthritis contributes to diminished labour force participation and lower household incomes, particularly among middle-aged and older adults. Effective models of care that integrate pain management, exercise therapy and workplace adaptations have the potential to mitigate both economic burden and adverse health outcomes.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have quantified the impact of osteoarthritis on healthy working life expectancy (HWLE) among adults aged 50 and above. Analysis of longitudinal cohort data revealed that individuals with osteoarthritis lose an average of 2.2 healthy working years compared with those without joint disease, after adjustment for sociodemographic and workplace factors. Pain interference and obesity emerged as key determinants of reduced HWLE, while adequate workplace support and physical activity moderated the decline. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to preserve work capacity, such as ergonomics training, weight management programmes and early pain-relief strategies.

Economic Impact and Healthcare Outcomes in Osteoarthritis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in economic impact and healthcare outcomes in osteoarthritis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Healthy Working Life Expectancy (HWLE): The average number of years an individual can expect to work in good health from a given age.

Presenteeism: Reduced productivity while at work due to health problems or symptoms.

Absenteeism: Time away from work because of illness or disability.

Indirect costs: Economic losses resulting from reduced productivity, early retirement and lost earnings.

Healthcare resource utilisation: The consumption of medical services, including outpatient visits, hospitalisations and treatments.

References

1. Demographic, health, physical activity, and workplace factors are associated with lower healthy working life expectancy and life expectancy at age 50. Scientific Reports (2024).
2. Work-related outcomes in individuals with and without lower limb osteoarthritis: an online survey. BMC Public Health (2023).
3. Health economics in the field of osteoarthritis: An Expert's consensus paper from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism (2013).
4. Evaluating the health and economic impact of osteoarthritis pain in the workforce: results from the National Health and Wellness Survey. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2011).
5. The personal and national costs of lost labour force participation due to arthritis: an economic study. BMC Public Health (2013).