title: Clinical and cost effectiveness of a cleanser protectant lotion for treatment of perineal skin breakdown in low-risk patients with incontinence.
abstract: Perineal dermatitis due to urinary and/or fecal incontinence is a common problem. A multicenter, open label, phase II product evaluation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a new cleanser protectant lotion in reducing perineal erythema and pain in patients at low-risk for perineal dermatitis and to compare the cost of this product to standard protocols of care. Nineteen elderly patients (14 male, 5 female, mean age 73.1 years) participated in the study. Average baseline scores for erythema and pain were 2.3 (+/- 0.5) and 1.5 (+/- 1.0), respectively (scale 0 to 4). After 7 days, both scores were significantly lower (mean scores 0.6 +/- 0.8 and 0.3 +/- 0.8, respectively; P < 0.01). Based on an average of 2.6 perineal episodes per day, the one-step product evaluated would cost $136 per patient/year less than standard protocols of care while reducing caregiver time (average 23 seconds per episode of care). Optimal perineal care may reduce the incidence of complications; studies to ascertain the safety and effectiveness of commonly used products and procedures are needed.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis VAMC, Dept. 111K, 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. erin.warshaw@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Warshaw
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nix
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kula
authors.forename: Clyde Edward
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Markon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D003902:Detergents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D010502:Perineum; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D009824:Ointments; D020011:Protective Agents