OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the costs and health outcome for surgical and conservative treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures. DESIGN: This study is a randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 50 patients aged 60 or older admitted to hospital with a severely displaced three- or four-part fracture. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were treated surgically with an angular stable interlocking implant (25 patients) or conservative treatment (25 patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcomes measured included quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and societal costs. RESULTS: At 12 months' follow-up, the mean difference in the number of QALYs was 0.027 (95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.025, 0.078) while the mean difference in total health-care costs was 597 euro in favour of surgery (95% CI=-5291, 3777). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in QALYs or costs between surgical and conservative treatment of severe displaced proximal humeral fractures. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the costs and health outcome for surgical and conservative treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures. DESIGN: This study is a randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: This study included 50 patients aged 60 or older admitted to hospital with a severely displaced three- or four-part fracture. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were treated surgically with an angular stable interlocking implant (25 patients) or conservative treatment (25 patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcomes measured included quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and societal costs. RESULTS: At 12 months' follow-up, the mean difference in the number of QALYs was 0.027 (95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.025, 0.078) while the mean difference in total health-care costs was 597 euro in favour of surgery (95% CI=-5291, 3777). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in QALYs or costs between surgical and conservative treatment of severe displaced proximal humeral fractures. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.