Cost-effectiveness of preventing hip fractures by hip protectors in elderly institutionalized residents in Germany.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the long-term cost-effectiveness of hip protector use in the prevention of hip fractures in elderly institutionalized residents in Germany compared to no prevention.


METHODS
A lifetime Markov decision model was developed using published data on costs and health outcomes. A societal and statutory health insurance perspective was adopted.


RESULTS
From a societal/statutory health insurance perspective, use of hip protectors yields savings of 315 EURO/257 EURO and a gain of 0.13 quality-adjusted life years per person over lifetime.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip protector use in elderly institutionalized residents in Germany is highly cost-effective.
Gandjour
Afschin
A
Institute of Health Economics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. afschin.gandjour@uk-koeln.de
Weyler
Eva-Julia
EJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008390:Markov Chains; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics*; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000191:economics*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years