[Socioeconomic burden of hip fractures in Germany].
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of hip fractures is a major challenge for the German health-care system due to the increasing incidence, high mortality rate, and need for long-term care. The purpose of this study was to determine the present and future economic burden of hip fractures in Germany.


METHODS
Annual costs of hip fractures were determined from a societal perspective, by multiplying individual lifetime costs at different ages by the incidence of hip fractures (incidence-based cost-of-illness study). To calculate individual lifetime costs, a Markov decision model was developed. Secondary data were used.


RESULTS
Total annual costs related to hip fractures were euro 2.77 billion. Due to population aging, costs of hip fractures may increase to euro 3.85 billion in 2030.


CONCLUSIONS
The result implies the need to identify effective prevention strategies for hip fractures and evaluate their cost-effectiveness.
Weyler
E-J
EJ
Institut für Gesundheitsökonomie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Universität zu Köln, Köln.
Gandjour
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation / Q000191:economics