[Cost-benefit analysis of the use of rhBMP-2 in open tibial fractures: savings from a health insurer's perspective].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate savings from the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in open tibia fractures by faster fracture healing and reduction of secondary treatment costs from a health insurance perspective for Germany and to compare them to the upfront price of 2900 EUR of rhBMP-2.


METHODS
Raw data from a previously published study (BESTT study) were used to conduct an economic calculation for secondary treatment costs for each patient from the standard care group and the 1.5 mg/ml rhBMP-2 group based on G-DRG 2005 prices from a health insurer's perspective for an observation period of 1 year for Germany.


RESULTS
The use of rhBMP-2 leads to savings of 5697 EUR and 3183 EUR per patient for Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIB and all grade IIIA and B injuries, respectively. These savings offset the upfront price of 2900 EUR of rhBMP-2 and, therefore, net savings of 2797 EUR and 283 EUR for grade IIIB and all grade IIIA and B injuries can be achieved, respectively. These savings are mainly due to reduced sickness payments because of faster fracture healing in the rhBMP-2 group.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study shows that the use of rhBMP-2 in Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIA and B open fractures leads--besides the better medical outcome for patients as shown previously in the BESTT study--to net savings from a health insurer's perspective.
Alt
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Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfallchirurgie Giessen, Universitätsklinikum Giessen-Marburg, Rudolf-Buchheim-Strasse 7, 35385 Giessen. Volker.Alt@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
Eicher
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A
Bitschnau
A
A
Schnettler
R
R
D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C499469:recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2