The effect of alendronate on fracture-related healthcare utilization and costs: the fracture intervention trial

This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstract contains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the study and the conclusions drawn. Alendronate significantly reduces the proportion of patients experiencing fractures (139 out of 1022 versus 183 out of 1005), and hence fracture-related health care, by 25%. The cost-saving for all fractures is $190 per patient treated, (p=0.114). Alendronate significantly reduces the cost associated with hip-fracture related care by $181 per patient treated, (p=0.036).