Health Economics and QoL Research Group, German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Department of Dermatology, University Clinics of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Int Wound J. 2010 Apr;7(2):97-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2010.00660.x.
Chronic wounds are important because of their frequency, their chronicity and high costs of treatment. However, there are few primary data on the cost-of-illness in Germany. The aim was to determine the cost-of-illness of venous leg ulcers (VLU) in Germany. Prospective cost-of-illness study was performed in 23 specialised wound centres throughout Germany. Direct, medical, non medical and indirect costs to the patient, statutory health insurers and society were documented. Thereover, health-related quality of life (QoL) was recorded as intangible costs using the Freiburg quality of life assessment for wounds (FLQA-w, Augustin). A total of 218 patients (62.1% female) were recruited consecutively. Mean age was 69.8 +/- 12.0 years. The mean total cost of the ulcer per year and patient was 9569 euros, [8658.10 euros (92%) direct and 911.20 euros (8%) indirect costs]. Of the direct costs, 7630.70 euros was accounted for by the statutory health insurance and 1027.40 euros by the patient. Major cost factors were inpatient costs, outpatient care and non drug treatments. QoL was strikingly reduced in most patients. In Germany, VLU are associated with high direct and indirect costs. As a consequence, there is a need for early and qualified disease management. Deeper-going cost-of-illness-studies and cost-benefit analyses are necessary if management of chronic wounds is to be improved.
慢性伤口很重要，因为它们的发病率高、病程长且治疗费用高。然而，德国关于疾病负担的原始数据很少。本研究旨在确定德国静脉性腿部溃疡（VLU）的疾病负担。在德国 23 个专门的伤口中心进行了前瞻性疾病负担研究。记录了患者、法定健康保险公司和社会的直接医疗费用、非医疗费用和间接费用。此外，还使用奥古斯丁伤口生活质量评估量表（FLQA-w）记录了无形的健康相关生活质量（QoL）。共连续招募了 218 名患者（62.1%为女性）。平均年龄为 69.8 +/- 12.0 岁。溃疡每年每位患者的总费用为 9569 欧元，[8658.10 欧元（92%）为直接费用，911.20 欧元（8%）为间接费用]。直接费用中，法定健康保险占 7630.70 欧元，患者自付 1027.40 欧元。主要费用因素为住院费用、门诊护理和非药物治疗。大多数患者的生活质量明显下降。在德国，VLU 与高额的直接和间接费用有关。因此，需要进行早期和有资质的疾病管理。如果要改善慢性伤口的管理，就需要进行更深入的疾病负担研究和成本效益分析。
