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Neck and back problems are prevalent in the U.S., yet little is known about national trends in healthcare expenditures for them or whether newer diagnostic and treatment methods improve outcomes. To address these issues, researchers analyzed data from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey of adults (>17 years) from 1997 through 2005.
Neck or back problems were reported by 13.6% of 23,045 respondents in 1997 and by 14.3% of 22,258 respondents in 2005. Mean age-, sex-, and inflation-adjusted medical expenditures among respondents with spine problems were significantly greater in 2005 than in 1997, both per respondent (US$6096 vs. $4695) and in total ($85.9 billion vs. $52.1 billion); total expenditures increased 65%. S…