Economic analysis of VenUS I, a randomized trial of two bandages for treating venous leg ulcers.
BACKGROUND
The study investigated the cost-effectiveness of four-layer and short-stretch compression bandages for treating venous leg ulcers.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses were performed using patient-level data collected alongside the VenUS I leg ulcer study. The perspective for the economic analysis was that of the UK National Health Service (NHS) and Personal Social Service. The time horizon for the analysis was 1 year after recruitment. Health benefit was measured as differences in ulcer-free days and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).


RESULTS
The mean healing time for ulcers treated with four-layer bandages was 10.9 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) -6.8 to 29.1) days less than that for ulcers treated with short-stretch bandages. Mean average difference in QALYs between compression systems was -0.02 (95 per cent c.i. -0.08 to 0.04). The four-layer bandage cost a mean of pound 227.32 (95 per cent c.i. pound 16.53 to pound 448 .30) less per patient per year than the short-stretch bandage.


CONCLUSIONS
On average, four-layer bandaging was associated with greater health benefits and lower costs than short-stretch bandaging.
Iglesias
C P
CP
Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building (Area 4), University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK.
Nelson
E A
EA
Cullum
N
N
Torgerson
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D014945:Wound Healing