Cost‐effective faster wound healing with a sustained silver‐releasing foam dressing in delayed healing leg ulcers – a health‐economic analysis

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 for protocol A, compared to £16·50–17·60 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 per year to the National Health Service.

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