Citation

Kim H, Moline J, Dropkin J. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2013; 55(5): 572-578.

Affiliation

From the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Great Neck, NY.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0b013e318289eeda

PMID

23618892

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: Association between medical cost from workplace injuries and aging and its effect modification by sex were examined. METHODS:: Medical costs reimbursed from workers' compensation between 2003 and 2009 were used. A multiple zero-truncated negative binomial regression predicted percent changes in medical cost. Cubic regression spline smoothers tested effect modification. RESULTS:: Reimbursed medical costs comprised 3452 claims. Medical costs increased with aging; however, the trends differ by sex. Medical cost increase after 10 years of age increase was 27% among men (95% CI = 17% to 38%) and was 15% among women (12% to 22%). Medical cost spent among the youngest women was higher than that for the oldest men. The ratio of cost between the oldest women and oldest men was double. CONCLUSIONS:: Prioritizing controls for injuries in hospitals should focus on women and aging workers.

Language: en