title: [Cost-benefit analysis of the use of rhBMP-2 in open tibial fractures: savings from a health insurer's perspective].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfallchirurgie Giessen, Universitätsklinikum Giessen-Marburg, Rudolf-Buchheim-Strasse 7, 35385 Giessen. Volker.Alt@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eicher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitschnau
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schnettler
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C499469:recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2