Studies from Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute Further Understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in the Medicare…

Studies from Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute Further Understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in the Medicare population: a nationwide study of records from 2005 to 2012)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Fresh data on Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions - Rheumatoid Arthritis are presented in a new report. According to news originating from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by VerticalNews correspondents, research stated, "Utilization of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has reportedly increased in recent years. Since the introduction of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, there has been a reported decline in its use among rheumatoid patients; yet, the shift in indications for TEA remains unclear."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute, "This study evaluated trends in TEA utilization from 2005 to 2012 by analyzing the most common indications within the population of Medicare patients. We performed a retrospective review of a comprehensive Medicare patient population database using the PearlDiver supercomputer (Warsaw, IN, USA) for TEA utilization in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), distal humerus fracture (DHF), post-traumatic arthritis (PTA), and distal humerus nonunion (DHNU). Total reported incidence of office visits and TEA utilization for each indication was reviewed. Utilization of TEA remained unchanged (P =.9530) despite a growing Medicare population (P =.0201). There was a significant decline in annual TEA utilization for RA(P =.002) and DHNU (P =.003). No significant change was found in TEA use for DHF, OA, and PTA. A significant increase was noted in total visits coded for OA, RA, and DHNU (P <.001). A significant, strong negative correlation was found for office visit coding and TEA use in RA (r = -0.850; P =.008) and DHNU (r = -0.902; P =.002). From 2005 to 2012, utilization rates of TEA in the Medicare population remained constant."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Despite increases in office visits, TEA use for RA and DHNU has declined, likely secondary to improved medical management with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and the surgeon's comfort with improved fracture fixation options."

For more information on this research see: Trends in total elbow arthroplasty in the Medicare population: a nationwide study of records from 2005 to 2012. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2016;25(11):1848-1853. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery can be contacted at: Mosby-Elsevier, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-shoulder-and-elbow-surgery/)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from J.C. Levy, Holy Cross Orthoped Inst, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334, United States. Additional authors for this research include J. Kurowicki, E. Momoh, T.Y. Law, T. Niedzielak and J.C. Levy.

Keywords for this news article include: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, North and Central America, Musculoskeletal Diseases and Conditions, Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions, Joint Diseases and Conditions, Orthopedic Procedures, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Health Policy, Arthroplasty, Medicare, Surgery, Holy Cross Orthopedic Institute.

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