Article

OBJECTIVE: To undertake a cost-utility analysis of the Individual Nutrition
Therapy and Exercise Regime:
A Controlled Trial of Injured, Vulnerable Elderly
(INTERACTIVE) trial. DESIGN: Cost-utility analysis of a randomized controlled
trial. SUBJECTS: A total of 175 patients following a hip fracture were allocated
to receive either alternate weekly visits from a physical therapist and dietitian
(intervention group), or social visits for 6 months (control group). METHODS:
Costs for utilization of hospitals, health and community services were compared
with quality-adjusted life years gained, calculated from responses to the
Assessment of Quality of Life instrument. RESULTS: There were minimal differences
in mean costs between the intervention ($AUD 45,331 standard deviation (SD): $AUD
23,012) and the control group ($AUD 44,764 SD: $AUD 20,712, p = 0.868), but a
slightly higher mean gain in quality-adjusted life years in the intervention
group (0.155, SD: 0.132) compared with the control group (0.139, SD: 0.149, p =
0.470). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $AUD 28,350 per
quality-adjusted life year gained, which is below the implied cost-effectiveness
threshold utilized by regulatory authorities in Australia. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive 6-month programme of therapy from dietitians and physical
therapists could be provided at a relatively low additional cost in this group of
frail older adults, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio indicates likely
cost-effectiveness, although there was a very high level of uncertainty in the
findings.

Langue : ANGLAIS