A multicenter study of hospitalization in rheumatoid arthritis. Frequency, medical-surgical admissions, and charges

Arthritis Rheum. 1986 May;29(5):614-9. doi: 10.1002/art.1780290505.

Abstract

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).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / economics
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • Canada
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / economics*
  • Hospitals / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • United States