[Cost-effectiveness of disposable diapers versus catheters in dependent patients]

Disposable diapers for incontinent elderly patients are expensive. Cost-effectiveness analysis in this prospective study showed that diapers reduced prevalence of urinary tract infections and of infected pressure sores. The saving resulting from this reduction in morbidity lowers the cost of diapers by 40% per month. This advantage, and especially improvement in the patients' health, hygiene and quality of life, justify the use of disposable diapers. Catheters were used mostly in patients in a vegetative state, while diapers were used in the preceding stages.