The Incidence, Prevalence, Costs and Impact on Disability of Common Conditions Requiring Rehabilitation in the US: Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Limb Loss, and Back Pain

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2014 · DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.10.032 · Published: May 1, 2014

Simple Explanation

This study reviews the incidence, prevalence, costs, and disability impact of eight common conditions treated by rehabilitation professionals in the United States. Back pain and arthritis are the most common and costly, affecting over 100 million people and costing over $200 billion annually. Traumatic brain injury carries significant per capita costs due to the young age of those affected and the severe disability it may cause.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

N/A

Evidence Level

Structured review of the literature

Key Findings

1
Back pain and arthritis affect over 100 million individuals and cost over $200 billion per year.
2
Traumatic brain injury carries enormous per capita direct and indirect costs.
3
Stroke is likely second to both arthritis and back pain in its impact on functional limitations.

Research Summary

Back pain and arthritis are the most common and costly conditions examined, significantly impacting the healthcare system due to their high prevalence and effect on disability. Traumatic brain injury, while less common, carries substantial per capita costs because of the severity of disability it causes and the young age of those affected. Stroke, often considered the leading cause of disability, is likely secondary to arthritis and back pain regarding its impact on functional limitations.

Practical Implications

Resource Allocation

Direct rehabilitation research funds to specific areas based on the national burden of disability.

Intervention Strategies

Focus on interventions that improve the onset and progression of chronically disabling diseases to achieve healthcare cost savings.

Future Research

Future research should focus on evaluating and creating specific interventions for thoughtfully delineated subsets of populations with conditions like spinal cord injury and amputation.

Study Limitations

1
Some of the data examined is over a decade old, which may affect the accuracy of inflation adjustments.
2
Costs were not estimated in a uniform fashion, potentially leading to differential error between diagnostic groups.
3
Patients often present with more than one diagnosis, which may lead to an attribution of all cost and disability to a single diagnosis when this may not be the case.

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