title: Cost-effective faster wound healing with a sustained silver-releasing foam dressing in delayed healing leg ulcers--a health-economic analysis.
abstract: The aim of this analysis was to examine the cost-effectiveness of Contreet Foam (A) in comparison with three other commonly used venous leg ulcer treatment protocols: Aquacel Ag (B), Actisorb Silver (C) and Iodoflex (D). A health-economic analysis reflecting the UK treatment practice and cost structure was performed. The analysis was set up to assess the cost of relative wound area reduction over a 4-week treatment period. The model was validated by a UK expert panel consisting of four wound care specialists. To assure that the 4-week model had a realistic link to cost-effectiveness of complete wound healing, a Markov analysis was also performed. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to ensure validity. Protocol A and C proved to be the most effective treatments. The mean relative reduction in wound area after 4 weeks of treatment was 50.2% (protocol A), 23.9% (protocol B), 44.6% (protocol C) and 36.0% (protocol D). Cost-effectiveness ratios showed that protocol A proved to be the most cost-effective treatment, and protocol B the least. The cost per percentage reduction in wound area was 9.50 UK pounds for protocol A, compared to 16.50-17.60 UK pounds for the other treatment options. The cost-effectiveness of complete healing (Markov analysis) and sensitivity analyses confirmed these results. Using Contreet Foam instead of the other dressing alternatives may imply savings of 2.2-4.4 million UK pounds per year to the National Health Service.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, St James University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scanlon
authors.forename: Tonny
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karlsmark
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Leaper
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hart-Hansen
authors.forename: Tina W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D006801:Humans; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000191:economics*; D012834:Silver / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012834:Silver; D000658:Amoxicillin