Comparison of healthcare utilisation, costs and health-related quality of life across the subgroups defined by the Keele STarT MSK Tool

Oppong, R; Lewis, AM; Campbell, P; Dunn, K; Foster, N; Hill, J; Jowett, S

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe and compare health economic outcomes (healthcare utilisation, costs, work outcomes and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L)) in patients classified into different risk subgroups by the Keele STarT MSK Tool.
Methods: Data on healthcare utilisation, costs and EQ-5D-5L were collected from a healthcare perspective within a primary care prospective observational cohort study. Patients presenting with one (or more) of the five most common musculoskeletal pain presentations were included: back, neck, shoulder, knee or multi-site pain. Participants at low, medium and high risk of persistent disabling pain were compared in relation to mean healthcare utilisation, costs, health-related quality of life and employment status. Regression analysis was used to estimate costs.
Results: Over 6 months, the mean (SD) total healthcare (NHS and private) costs associated with the low, medium and high risk subgroups were £132.92 (167.88), £279.32 (462.98) and £476.07 (716.44) respectively. Mean health-related quality of life over the 6 month period was lower and more people changed their employment status in the high risk subgroup compared to the medium and low risk subgroups.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that subgroups of people with different risk of poor musculoskeletal pain outcomes also have different levels of healthcare utilization, healthcare costs, health-related quality of life and work outcomes. The findings show that the STarT MSK tool not only identifies those at risk of a poorer outcome, but also those who will have more healthcare visits and incur higher costs.

Citation

Oppong, R., Lewis, A., Campbell, P., Dunn, K., Foster, N., Hill, J., & Jowett, S. (2022). Comparison of healthcare utilisation, costs and health-related quality of life across the subgroups defined by the Keele STarT MSK Tool. Rheumatology, https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keac560

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 16, 2022
• Publication Date: Oct 3, 2022
• Journal: Rheumatology
• Print ISSN: 1462-0324
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keac560
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/424347
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keac560/6747291