title: Cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring of diabetic foot ulcer patients.
abstract: This study compared the cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring with standard monitoring for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The economic evaluation was nested within a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. A total of 374 patients were randomised to either telemonitoring or standard monitoring. Telemonitoring consisted of two tele-consultations in the patient's own home and one consultation at the outpatient clinic; standard monitoring consisted of three outpatient clinic consultations. Total healthcare costs were estimated over a 6-month period at individual patient level, from a healthcare sector perspective. The bootstrap method was used to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and one-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Telemonitoring costs were found to be €2039 less per patient compared to standard monitoring; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Amputation rate was similar in the two groups. In conclusion, a telemonitoring service in this form had similar costs and effects as standard monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Odense University Hospital, Denmark; University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors.forename: Iben
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fasterholdt
authors.affiliation: Orifarm Generics A/S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerstrøm
authors.forename: Benjamin Schnack Brandt
authors.initials: BSB
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.affiliation: Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Knud Bonnet
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Yderstræde
authors.affiliation: Odense University Hospital, Denmark; University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kidholm
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kjeld Møller
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics*
keywords: cost-effectiveness analysis; diabetes; foot ulcers; randomised controlled trial; telemedicine