ABSTRACT
Fractures of the upper extremity of the femur are serious because of their morbidity and social and/or economic consequences. They have been the subject of several studies of world literature concerning their hospital treatment, evolution and prevention. The increase in the incidence of this pathology seems unavoidable due to population ageing and to the lengthening life expectancy; it is posing a real long-term public health problem whose importance will be further increased by the need to control health care costs. The results of this study show that the average age of onset of fracture of the proximal extremity of the femur is 68,13 ± 16.9 years, with a male predominance and a sex ratio of 1.14. In our study pertrochanterian fractures represented 69.4% of cases. Direct medical costs of the hospital treatment of fractures of the upper extremity of the femur at the Hassan II University Hospital were £387 714,38 in 222 cases, with an average cost of £1757,4 , including costs for patient's stay in hospital, which represented the majority of expenses ( 77% of total costs). It is desirable to raise staff awareness of the costs of consumables in order to reduce treatment costs and to adopt cost-oriented behaviour. Length of stay should be limited to the maximum extent because it only allows to reduce staff and accommodation costs.
