Cost effectiveness of external hip protectors in the hospital setting: a modeling study.

Chronic illnesses, for which many patients are admitted to hospitals, substantially increase the risk of falling, and hence the likelihood of incurring a hip fracture. Hip fractures not only have devastating consequences on an individual's quality of life but may also affect a hospital's reputation in the community. In addition, hospitals may face litigation claims and increased costs for patients who fall and suffer a major injury as a consequence.

Impact of diabetes on costs before and after major lower extremity amputations in Germany.

Aims: To compare direct medical costs 1 year before up to 3 years after first major lower extremity amputation (LEA) between patients with and without diabetes.

Methods: We used health insurance claims data and included patients with a first major LEA between 2005 and 2009. Costs for hospitalization, rehabilitation, outpatient care, outpatient drug prescriptions, non-physician services, durable medical equipment and long-term care were assessed.

Age of onset in chronic diseases: new method and application to dementia in Germany.

Background: Age of onset is an important outcome to characterize a population with a chronic disease. With respect to social, cognitive, and physical aspects for patients and families, dementia is especially burdensome. In Germany, like in many other countries, it is highly prevalent in the older population and imposes enormous efforts for caregivers and society.

Identification of a multistate continuous-time nonhomogeneous Markov chain model for patients with decreased renal function.

Objectives: Markov chain models are frequently used to study the clinical course of chronic diseases. The aim of this article is to adopt statistical methods to describe the time dynamics of chronically ill patients when 2 kinds of data sets--fully and partially observable data are available.

Model: We propose a 6-state continuous-time Markov chain model for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), where little is known about the transitions between the disease stages.