title: Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of nutritional intervention in elderly after hip fracture: design of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hip fracture patients often have an impaired nutritional status at the time of fracture, which can result in a higher complication rate, prolonged rehabilitation time and increased mortality. A study was designed to evaluate the effect of nutritional intervention on nutritional status, functional status, total length of stay, postoperative complications and cost-effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-labelled, multi-centre, randomized controlled trial in hip fracture patients aged 55 years and above. The intervention group receives dietetic counselling (by regular home visits and telephone calls) and oral nutritional supplementation for three months after surgery. The control group receives usual dietetic care as provided by the hospital. Outcome assessment is performed at three and six months after hip fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient recruitment has started in July 2007 and has ended in December 2009. First results are expected in 2011.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00523575.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. caroline.wyers@epid.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Caroline E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wyers
authors.forename: José J L
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Breedveld-Peters
authors.forename: Petronella L M
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Reijven
authors.forename: Svenjhalmar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Helden
authors.forename: Nick A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Guldemond
authors.forename: Johan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Severens
authors.forename: Aart D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Verburg
authors.forename: Berry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meesters
authors.forename: Lodewijk W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: van Rhijn
authors.forename: Pieter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dagnelie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003376:Counseling; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004046:Dietetics / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011182:Postoperative Care