A cost-effectiveness study of leg ulcer treatment in primary care. Comparison of saline-gauze and hydrocolloid treatment in a prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVE

The majority of leg ulcer patients in Sweden are managed by primary health care personnel. To compare, in a primary care setting, the healing results and the expenses of two commonly used wound dressings for leg ulcers.

DESIGN

Thirty patients with leg ulcers of venous or mixed venous/arterial aetiology were randomized to treatment with saline-soaked gauze or with the hydrocolloidal dressing [HCD: DuoDERM (ConvaTec, A Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton)]. All patients were bandaged with the same compression of low-stretch-type [Comprilan (Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg)].

SETTING

Vårdcentralen Marieberg, Primary Health Care Centre, Motala, Sweden.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Healing/reduction of ulcer area, pain, costs for material, nursing time, kilometres driven were registered during a six-week period.

RESULTS

Two patients dropped out of the study, one in the gauze-group due to erysipelas, and one in the HCD-group for social reasons. A total of 1234 dressing changes were analysed. Costs for material were similar in the two groups. When the total care including nursing- and travelling time and kilometres driven were analysed, the mean cost for treatment with gauze dressings was 4126 Swedish Kronor (SEK), and with HCD, 1565 SEK. Seven patients in the HCD-group and two in the gauze-group healed during the study. The reduction of the ulcer area was 19% in the gauze-group and 51% in the HCD-group (p < 0.16).

CONCLUSION

The total care, analysed in an authentic clinical setting, must be considered when different wound-care methods are discussed. In this study the use of HCD showed lower costs than use of gauze-dressings. As regards healing there was a tendency to improved healing with HCD, but no significant difference. Patients in the HCD-group reported significantly less pain at dressing changes (p < 0.003) than patients in the gauze-group.