Utilization of vertebroplasty has significantly declined since 2009, due to the publication of studies that expressed concerns about the procedure, according to a new study by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute published online August 1 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
A team led by Dr. Andrew Degnan of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center used national aggregate Medicare claims data from 2002 through 2014 to identify vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures by provider type, evaluating changes in utilization by both procedure type and provider.
The group found that use of both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty reached a peak in 2008, then decreased from 2009 through 2014 as negative data from randomized controlled trials and 2010 guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons were published.
"Our results suggest that choice of vertebral augmentation procedure is highly influenced by changing clinical evidence and guidelines," said contributing author Danny Hughes, PhD, in a statement released by the institute.
