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Women had significantly greater utilization of knee OA-related health care before TKA vs men
In the 12 months preceding total knee arthroplasty, women experienced significantly greater utilization of knee osteoarthritis-related health care than men, according to results.
Using the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare Supplemental and Coordination of Benefit databases, researchers identified 244,059 patients (61.2% were women) who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), had associated diagnosis of lower leg osteoarthritis (OA) and were continuously in the database for 12 months preceding TKA. Researchers also identified patient-specific OA-related health care utilization.
Results showed women were 18.6% more likely to undergo knee MRI compared with men. Researchers noted women were 29.8% more likely to receive prescriptions for narcotics, 20.4% more likely to have prescriptions for non-narcotic analgesics, 31% more likely to receive intra-articular corticosteroid injections and 18.3% more likely to receive hyaluronic acid injections. Compared with men, researchers found women were 28.5% and 39.2% more likely to be prescribed physical therapy and occupational therapy, respectively. However, men were 14.6% more likely to receive knee braces, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Bawa reports he is a paid consultant for Stryker Trauma and Bone Support; and is a board or committee member for the American Orthopaedic Association and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.