Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of nutritional intervention in elderly after hip fracture: design of a randomized controlled trial.
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.
Wyers
Caroline E
CE
Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. caroline.wyers@epid.unimaas.nl
Breedveld-Peters
José J L
JJ
Reijven
Petronella L M
PL
van Helden
Svenjhalmar
S
Guldemond
Nick A
NA
Severens
Johan L
JL
Verburg
Aart D
AD
Meesters
Berry
B
van Rhijn
Lodewijk W
LW
Dagnelie
Pieter C
PC
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