Effectiveness and Costs of Osteoporosis Screening and Hormone ReplacementTherapy. Volume 1. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

摘要

This background paper assesses the costs and effectiveness of screening women forbone density once, at the time of menopause (age 50) or alternatively at age 65, and placing those with low bone density on long-term hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). OTA's estimates include the costs (or savings) of hospital care, nursing home care, and other long-term care due to disease-related disabilities as well as the costs of screening and HRT. OTA did not include the cost of unpaid care provided by family and friends. Because evidence on the quality of life associated with HRT and the diseases affected by its scanty and even nonexistent for some conditions, OTA estimated HRT's impacts only on the length of life, not on its quality.