Resource Utilization in Patients with Bisphosphonate - Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Abstract

Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ) is an emerging oral
complication that occur secondary to cancer therapy in approximately 5% of cancer
patients that are treated with high dosages of intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates and
can be associated with significant health-care associated costs.
A retrospective electronic medical record based on review of ninety-four cancer
patients with BONJ. All health care related resources were abstracted using a
structured chart abstraction tool, including medications, imaging, pathology,
procedures, and visits. Standardized references were used to assign costs.
The median cost of a case of BONJ in our cohort was $1,546 (interquartile range
from $869-$3,166). Medication costs comprise 48%, visits 23%, procedures 16%,
imaging 10% and pathology 2%. The major contributing factors that affect BONJ
treatment cost were long term medication and follow up visits
Long term medication, sequestrectomy and debridement are a bit expensive but
could be a part of evidence-based successful clinical outcome. The cost of BONJ
treatment is modest compared with the cost of cancer care.