Economic Cost of the Treatment of Fractures Among Old People: A Preliminary Study in Dakar Teaching Hospital

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the cost of hospital care related to fractures among the elderly patients. Materials and Methods: The aim was to conduct a study over a 12-month period involving patients aged 60 and older with at least 1 musculoskeletal fracture. The population under investigation included 314 patients, mainly female, with 319 fractures. Only 25.47% of the patients had access to government financial assistance. The cost of hospital treatment was assessed on the basis of 3 expense items; the standard currency used was the African Financial Community Franc ( CFA franc) and 1 CFA franc equals 656 euros. Expense item No. 1: It related to the cost of diagnostic services that included surgical consultation and x-rays. Expense item No. 3: It is related to the duration of the stay at the hospital. Results: The cost of diagnostic services amounted to 5625 euros. The cost of the second item was put at 43 054 euros: conservative treatment: 43 118 euros; surgical treatment: 41 053 euros. Cost of the hospital stay amounted to 2607 euros. Proximal femur fractures accounted for 43.46% of the overall cost of the care provided. Discussion: Our patients' medical history is similar to the data provided in developed countries: female predominance; predominance of proximal femoral fractures. The cost of the care provided was boosted by the surgical treatment and proximal femur fractures, whereas the cost of hospital stay was rather insignificant. Medical care is a problem among our patients, as few of them have access to government financial assistance. Conclusion: Among elderly people, fractures will soon become a public health issue in our context.