Rising direct medical costs of osteoarthritis in Germany from 2002 to 2020: trends, demographic drivers, and public health considerations

Osteoarthritis imposes a substantial and rapidly increasing economic burden on the German healthcare system, particularly due to adults aged 65 and older. Inpatient and nursing care have emerged as the primary cost drivers. In a European comparison, Germany ranks among the countries with the highest OA-related direct medical costs. These findings underscore the urgent need for osteoarthritis-specific public health strategies focused on prevention, individualized conservative treatments, and gender-sensitive care models to ensure the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems in aging societies.