The inpatient costs related to revascularization of lower extremity artery disease in terms of amputation and mortality rates

OBJECTIVE

With the initial utilization of endovascular treatment options in 1970s, the number of procedures performed for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) both with open surgical (OS) and endovascular (EV) treatment increased, but this did not result in a decrease in the number of amputations. The burden of LEAD still constitutes a huge proportion among the health care costs over the world.

METHODS

The patients who admitted to our clinic between October 2014 and December 2019 with LEAD and required revascularization were enrolled. The total hospitalization costs related to LEAD were registered and divided into two groups as care costs and medical supplies costs.

RESULTS

181 procedures were performed to 133 patients. Mean age was 63.98 ± 11.65 and 115 (86.5%) patients were male. Mean follow-up period was 31.19 ± 17.99 months (95% CI). The most frequent comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 86, 66.2%) and active smoking (n = 59, 44.4%). Total costs and medical supplies costs were increased in EV group when compared with OS group ($4347.26 ± 3352.96, $3339.28 ± 3459.53 p = .005 v.s. $3318.67 ± 2874.55,$904.42 ± 1209.97 p < .001, respectively). Care costs were increased in OS group when compared with EV group ($2434.85 ± 2641.89 v.s. $1028.56 ± 1397.77 p < .001). The highest total, medical supplies, and care costs were determined in EV + OS group ($13071.32 ± 13717; $6784.91 ± 8332.04; $6286.41 ± 7652.12, respectively).Graft/wound infection related and amputation related costs were 21% of all costs. Amputation-free survival was 71.42% (95% CI) with 21 total amputations. There were linear correlations between mortality and amputation (p = .002); also between mortality and cost (p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In mid-long-term period, the care costs are increased with OS; however, EV treatment significantly increases the medical supplies and total costs. The increase in cost is correlated with poor outcome. Although the comorbidities and risk factors of these patients lead the clinicians to perform more challenging endovascular approaches, in mid-long-term period, particularly failed endovascular procedures are not promising in terms of outcomes and costs. We consider that the best-fit therapy on time is cost-effective, life and extremity-saving either, by avoiding deleterious effects of severe ischemia, such as severe pain, tissue loss, and related major adverse cardiaovascular events.

Geographical Variation in the Management of Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease: A Nationwide Danish Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Equal access for equal needs is a key goal for many healthcare systems but geographical variation research has shown that this is often not the case in areas other than vascular surgery. This study assessed the variation across specialised vascular centres of an entire healthcare system in the costs and outcomes for patients having first time revascularisation for peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

METHODS

This was a national study of all first time revascularisations performed in the Danish healthcare system between 2009 and 2014. Episodes were identified in the Danish Vascular Registry (n = 10 300) and data on one year follow up in terms of the costs of specialised healthcare (€) and amputation status were acquired from national registers. Generalised gamma and logit regressions were used to predict margins between centres while adjusting for population heterogeneity (age, sex, education, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, use of prophylactic pharmacological therapy, indication and type of revascularisation). Cost effectiveness frontiers were used to identify efficient providers and to illustrate the cost of reducing the system level risk of amputation.

RESULTS

For each of the indications of chronic limb threatening and acute limb ischaemia, the one year amputation risks varied from 11% to 16% across centres (p = .003, p = .006) whereas for intermittent claudication there was no significant difference across centres. The corresponding costs of care varied across centres for all indications (p = .027, p = .028, p = .030). Linking costs and outcomes, three of seven centres were observed to provide poorer quality at higher costs. Exponentially increasing costs to obtain the maximum reduction of the amputation risk were observed.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that there is substantial variation in the clinical management of peripheral arterial occlusive disease across the Danish healthcare system and that this results in very different levels of efficiency - on top of potentially unequal treatment for equal needs. Further research is warranted.

Health service organisation impact on lower extremity amputations in people with type 2 diabetes with foot ulcers: systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Despite the evidence available on the epidemiology of diabetic foot ulcers and associated complications, it is not clear how specific organizational aspects of health care systems can positively affect their clinical trajectory. We aim to evaluate the impact of organizational aspects of care on lower extremity amputation rates among people with type 2 diabetes affected by foot ulcers.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature published between 1999 and 2019, using the following key terms as search criteria: people with type 2 diabetes, diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer, treated with specific processes and care pathways, and LEA as primary outcome. Overall results were reported as pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals obtained using fixed and random effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 57 studies were found eligible, highlighting the following arrangements: dedicated teams, care pathways and protocols, multidisciplinary teams, and combined interventions. Among them, seven studies qualified for a meta-analysis. According to the random effects model, interventions including any of the four arrangements were associated with a 29% reduced risk of any type of lower extremity amputation (OR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.52-0.96). The effect was larger when focusing on major LEAs alone, leading to a 48% risk reduction (OR = 0.52; 95% CI 0.30-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific organizational arrangements including multidisciplinary teams and care pathways can prevent half of the amputations in people with diabetes and foot ulcers. Further studies using standardized criteria are needed to investigate the cost-effectiveness to facilitate wider implementation of improved organizational arrangements. Similarly, research should identify specific roadblocks to translating evidence into action. These may be structures and processes at the health system level, e.g. availability of professionals with the right skillset, reimbursement mechanisms, and clear organizational intervention implementation guidelines.

Association of antidiabetic therapies with lower extremity amputation, mortality and healthcare cost from a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Taiwan

We compared risks of clinical outcomes, mortality and healthcare costs among new users of different classes of anti-diabetic medications. This is a population-based, retrospective, new-user design cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between May 2, 2015 and September 30, 2017. An individual was assigned to a medication group based on the first anti-diabetic prescription on or after May 1, 2016: SGLT-2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists or older agents (metformin, etc.). Clinical outcomes included lower extremity amputation, peripheral vascular disease, critical limb ischemia, osteomyelitis, and ulcer. We built three Cox proportional hazards models for clinical outcomes and mortality, and three regression models with a log-link function and gamma distribution for healthcare costs, all with propensity-score weighting and covariates. We identified 1,222,436 eligible individuals. After adjustment, new users of SGLT-2 inhibitors were associated with 73% lower mortality compared to those of DPP-4 inhibitors or users of older agents, while 36% lower total costs against those of GLP-1 agonists. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of lower extremity amputation across medication groups. Our study suggested that SGLT-2 inhibitors is associated with lower mortality compared to DPP 4 inhibitors and lower costs compared to GLP-1 agonists.

A Systematic Review of the Incidence, Prevalence, Costs, and Activity and Work Limitations of Amputation, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Back Pain, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: A 2019 Update

OBJECTIVES

To present recent evidence on the prevalence, incidence, costs, activity limitations, and work limitations of common conditions requiring rehabilitation.

DATA SOURCES

Medline (PubMed), SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the gray literature were searched for relevant articles about amputation, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury.

STUDY SELECTION

Relevant articles (N=106) were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two investigators independently reviewed articles and selected relevant articles for inclusion. Quality grading was performed using the Methodological Evaluation of Observational Research Checklist and Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The prevalence of back pain in the past 3 months was 33.9% among community-dwelling adults, and patients with back pain contribute $365 billion in all-cause medical costs. Osteoarthritis is the next most prevalent condition (approximately 10.4%), and patients with this condition contribute $460 billion in all-cause medical costs. These 2 conditions are the most prevalent and costly (medically) of the illnesses explored in this study. Stroke follows these conditions in both prevalence (2.5%-3.7%) and medical costs ($28 billion). Other conditions may have a lower prevalence but are associated with relatively higher per capita effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with previous findings, back pain and osteoarthritis are the most prevalent conditions with high aggregate medical costs. By contrast, other conditions have a lower prevalence or cost but relatively higher per capita costs and effects on activity and work. The data are extremely heterogeneous, which makes anything beyond broad comparisons challenging. Additional information is needed to determine the relative impact of each condition.

Impact of Time to Receipt of Prosthesis on Total Healthcare Costs 12 Months Postamputation

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to assess the impact of a prosthesis and the timing of prosthesis receipt on total direct healthcare costs in the 12-mo postamputation period.

DESIGN

Data on patients with lower limb amputation (n = 510) were obtained from a commercial claims database for retrospective cohort analysis. Generalized linear multivariate modeling was used to determine differences in cost between groups according to timing of prosthesis receipt compared with a control group with no prosthesis.

RESULTS

Receipt of a prosthesis between 0 and 3 mos post lower limb amputation yielded a reduced total cost by approximately 0.23 in log scale within 12 mos after amputation when compared with the no-prosthesis group. Despite the included costs of a prosthesis, individuals who received a prosthesis either at 4-6 mos postamputation or 7-9 mos postamputation incurred costs similar to the no-prosthesis group.

CONCLUSION

Earlier receipt of a prosthesis is associated with reduced spending in the 12 mos postamputation of approximately $25,000 compared with not receiving a prosthesis. The results of this study suggest that not providing or delaying the provision of a prosthesis increases costs by about 25%.

National and State-Level Trends in Nontraumatic Lower-Extremity Amputation Among U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries With Diabetes, 2000-2017

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is a leading cause of nontraumatic lower-extremity amputation (NLEA) in the U.S. After a period of decline, some national U.S. data have shown that diabetes-related NLEAs have recently increased, particularly among young and middle-aged adults. However, the trend for older adults is less clear.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

To examine NLEA trends among older adults with diabetes (≥67 years), we used 100% Medicare claims for beneficiaries enrolled in Parts A and B, also known as fee for service (FFS). NLEA was defined as the highest-level amputation per patient per calendar year. Annual NLEA rates were estimated from 2000 to 2017 and stratified by age-group, sex, race/ethnicity, NLEA level (toe, foot, below-the-knee amputation [BKA], or above-the-knee amputation [AKA]), and state. All rates were age and sex standardized to the 2000 Medicare population. Trends over time were assessed using Joinpoint regression and annual percent change (APC) reported.

RESULTS

NLEA rates (per 1,000 people with diabetes) decreased by half from 8.5 in 2000 to 4.4 in 2009 (APC -7.9, P < 0.001). However, from 2009 onward, NLEA rates increased to 4.8 (APC 1.2, P < 0.01). Trends were similar across most age, sex, and race/ethnic groups, but absolute rates were highest in the oldest age-groups, Blacks, and men. By NLEA type, overall increases were driven by increases in rates of toe and foot NLEAs, while BKA and AKA continued to decline. The majority of U.S. states showed recent increases in NLEA, similar to national estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study of the U.S. Medicare FFS population shows that recent increases in diabetes-related NLEAs are also occurring in older populations but at a less severe rate than among younger adults (<65 years) in the general population. Preventive foot care has been shown to reduce rates of NLEA among adults with diabetes, and the findings of the study suggest that those with diabetes-across the age spectrum-could benefit from increased attention to this strategy.

Health Care Costs Associated With Macrovascular, Microvascular, and Metabolic Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Across Time: Estimates From a Population-Based Cohort of More Than 0.8 Million Individuals With Up to 15 Years of Follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Developing country-specific unit-cost catalogs is a key area for advancing economic research to improve medical and policy decisions. However, little is known about how health care costs vary by type 2 diabetes (T2D) complications across time in Asian countries. We sought to quantify the economic burden of various T2D complications in Taiwan.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A nationwide, population-based, longitudinal study was conducted to analyze 802,429 adults with newly diagnosed T2D identified during 1999-2010 and followed up until death or 31 December 2013. Annual health care costs associated with T2D complications were estimated, with multivariable generalized estimating equation models adjusted for individual characteristics.

RESULTS

The mean annual health care cost was $281 and $298 (2017 U.S. dollars) for a male and female, respectively, diagnosed with T2D at age <50 years, with diabetes duration of <5 years, and without comorbidities, antidiabetic treatments, and complications. Depression was the costliest comorbidity, increasing costs by 64-82%. Antidiabetic treatments increased costs by 72-126%. For nonfatal complications, costs increased from 36% (retinopathy) to 202% (stroke) in the event year and from 13% (retinopathy or neuropathy) to 49% (heart failure) in subsequent years. Costs for the five leading costly nonfatal subtype complications increased by 201-599% (end-stage renal disease with dialysis), 37-376% (hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke), and 13-279% (upper-/lower-extremity amputation). For fatal complications, costs increased by 1,784-2,001% and 1,285-1,584% for cardiovascular and other-cause deaths, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The cost estimates from this study are crucial for parameterizing diabetes economic simulation models to quantify the economic impact of clinical outcomes and determine cost-effective interventions.

Five year mortality and direct costs of care for people with diabetic foot complications are comparable to cancer

BACKGROUND

In 2007, we reported a summary of data comparing diabetic foot complications to cancer. The purpose of this brief report was to refresh this with the best available data as they currently exist. Since that time, more reports have emerged both on cancer mortality and mortality associated with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), Charcot arthropathy, and diabetes-associated lower extremity amputation.

METHODS

We collected data reporting 5-year mortality from studies published following 2007 and calculated a pooled mean. We evaluated data from DFU, Charcot arthropathy and lower extremity amputation. We dichotomized high and low amputation as proximal and distal to the ankle, respectively. This was compared with cancer mortality as reported by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.

RESULTS

Five year mortality for Charcot, DFU, minor and major amputations were 29.0, 30.5, 46.2 and 56.6%, respectively. This is compared to 9.0% for breast cancer and 80.0% for lung cancer. 5 year pooled mortality for all reported cancer was 31.0%. Direct costs of care for diabetes in general was $237 billion in 2017. This is compared to $80 billion for cancer in 2015. As up to one-third of the direct costs of care for diabetes may be attributed to the lower extremity, these are also readily comparable.

CONCLUSION

Diabetic lower extremity complications remain enormously burdensome. Most notably, DFU and LEA appear to be more than just a marker of poor health. They are independent risk factors associated with premature death. While advances continue to improve outcomes of care for people with DFU and amputation, efforts should be directed at primary prevention as well as those for patients in diabetic foot ulcer remission to maximize ulcer-free, hospital-free and activity-rich days.

Cost-effectiveness of Finger Replantation Compared With Revision Amputation

IMPORTANCE

Traumatic digit amputation is the most common type of amputation injury, but the cost-effectiveness of its treatments is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cost-effectiveness of finger replantation compared with revision amputation.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This economic evaluation was conducted using data from the Finger Replantation and Amputation Challenges in Assessing Impairment, Satisfaction, and Effectiveness (FRANCHISE), a retrospective, multicenter cohort study at 19 centers in the United States and Asia that enrolled participants from August 1, 2016, to April 12, 2018. Model variables were based on the FRANCHISE database, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and published literature. A total of 257 participants with unilateral traumatic finger amputations treated with revision amputation or replantation distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint and at least 1 year of follow-up after treatment were included in the analysis.

EXPOSURES

Revision amputation or replantation of traumatic finger amputations.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Main outcome measures were quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), total costs (in US dollars), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). A willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY was used to assess cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

Of the 257 study participants (mean [SD] age, 46.7 [15.9] years; 221 [86.0%] male), 178 underwent finger replantation and 79 underwent revision amputation. In a base case of a 46.7-year-old patient, replantation was associated with QALY gains of 0.30 (95% credible interval [CrI], -0.72 to 1.38) for single-finger (not thumb), 0.39 (95% CrI, -1.00 to 1.90) for thumb, 1.69 (95% CrI, -0.13 to 3.76) for multifinger excluding thumb, and 1.27 (95% CrI, -2.21 to 5.04) for multifinger including thumb injury patterns. Corresponding ICERs for replantation compared with revision amputation were $99 157 per QALY for single-finger (not thumb), $66 278 per QALY for thumb, $18 388 per QALY for multifinger excluding thumb, and $21 528 per QALY for multifinger including thumb injury patterns. Sensitivity analysis revealed that age at time of injury, life expectancy, postinjury utility, wages, and time off work for recovery had the strongest associations with cost-effectiveness. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed the following chances of replantation being cost-effective: 47% in single-finger (not thumb), 52% in thumb, 78% in multifinger excluding thumb, and 64% in multifinger including thumb injury patterns.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

With proper patient selection, replantation of all finger amputation patterns, whether single-finger or multifinger injuries, may be cost-effective compared with revision amputation. Multifinger replantations had a higher probability of being cost-effective than single-finger replantations. Cost-effectiveness may depend on injury pattern and patient factors and thus appears to be important for consideration when patients and surgeons are deciding whether to replant or amputate.

The cost of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations to the National Health Service in England

AIM

To estimate the healthcare costs of diabetic foot disease in England.

METHODS

Patient-level data sets at a national and local level, and evidence from clinical studies, were used to estimate the annual cost of health care for foot ulceration and amputation in people with diabetes in England in 2014-2015.

RESULTS

The cost of health care for ulceration and amputation in diabetes in 2014-2015 is estimated at between £837 million and £962 million; 0.8% to 0.9% of the National Health Service (NHS) budget for England. More than 90% of expenditure was related to ulceration, and 60% was for care in community, outpatient and primary settings. For inpatients, multiple regression analysis suggested that ulceration was associated with a length of stay 8.04 days longer (95% confidence interval 7.65 to 8.42) than that for diabetes admissions without ulceration.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic foot care accounts for a substantial proportion of healthcare expenditure in England, more than the combined cost of breast, prostate and lung cancers. Much of this expenditure arises through prolonged and severe ulceration. If the NHS were to reduce the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers in England by one-third, the gross annual saving would be more than £250 million. Diabetic foot ulceration is a large and growing problem globally, and it is likely that there is potential to improve outcomes and reduce expenditure in many countries.

Assessment of healthcare costs of amputation and prosthesis for upper and lower extremities in a Qatari healthcare institution: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the healthcare cost of amputation and prosthesis for management of upper and lower extremities in a single institute.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study conducted between 2000 and 2014.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who underwent upper (UEA) and lower extremities amputation (LEA) were identified retrospectively from the operating theatre database. Collected data included patient demographics, comorbidities, interventions, costs of amputations including hospitalisation expenses, length of hospital stay and mortality.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence, costs of amputation and hospitalisation according to the level of the amputation and cost per bed days, length of hospital stay and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 871 patients underwent 1102 (major 357 and minor 745) UEA and LEA. The mean age of patients was 59.4±18.3, and 77.2% were males. Amputations were most frequent among elderly (51.1%). Two-third of patients (75.86%, 95% CI 72.91% to 78.59%) had diabetes mellitus. Females, Qatari nationals and non-diabetics were more likely to have higher mean amputation and hospital stay cost. The estimated total cost for major and minor amputations were US$3 797 930 and US$2 344 439, respectively. The cumulative direct healthcare cost comprised total cost of all amputations, bed days cost and prosthesis cost and was estimated to be US$52 126 496 and per patient direct healthcare procedure cost was found to be US$59 847. The total direct related therapeutic cost was estimated to be US$26 096 046 with per patient cost of US$29 961. Overall per patient cost for amputation was US$89 808.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic burden associated with UEA and LEA-related hospitalisations is considerable. Diabetes mellitus, advanced age and sociodemographic factors influence the incidence of amputation and its associated healthcare cost. The findings will help to showcase the economic burden of amputation for better management strategies to reduce healthcare costs. Furthermore, larger prospective studies focused on cost-effectiveness of primary prevention strategies to minimise diabetic complication are warranted.

Impact of the pay-for-performance program on lower extremity amputations in patients with diabetes in Taiwan

Patients with diabetes are at a high risk of lower extremity amputations and may have a reduced life expectancy. Taiwan has implemented a diabetes pay-for-performance (P4P) program providing team care to improve the control of disease and avoid subsequent complications. Few studies investigated the effects of adopting a nationalized policy to decrease amputation risk in diabetes previously. Our study aimed to analyze the impact of the P4P programs on the incidence of lower extremity amputations in Taiwanese patients with diabetes.This was a population-based cohort study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (which provided coverage for 98% of the total population in Taiwan) from 1998 to 2007. Patients with diabetes were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic codes. We linked procedure codes to inpatient claims to identify patients hospitalized for nontraumatic lower extremity amputations.A total of 9738 patients with diabetes with amputations were enrolled (mean age ± standard deviation: 64.4 ± 14.5 years; men: 63.9%). The incidence of nontraumatic diabetic lower extremity amputations decreased over the time period studied (3.79-2.27 per 1000 persons with diabetes). Based on the Cox proportional hazard regression model, male sex (hazard ratio: 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-1.92), older age, and low socioeconomic status significantly interact with diabetes with respect to the risks of amputation. Patients who did not join the P4P program for diabetes care had a 3.46-fold higher risk of amputation compared with those who joined (95% CI 3.19-3.76).The amputation rate in Taiwanese diabetic patients decreased over the time period observed. Diabetes in patients with low socioeconomic status is associated with an increased risk of amputations. Our findings suggested that in addition to medical interventions and self-management educations, formulate and implement of medical policies, such as P4P program, might have a significant effect on decreasing the diabetes-related amputation rate.

Determinants of Long-Term Outcomes and Costs in the Management of Critical Limb Ischemia: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background The optimal treatment for critical limb ischemia remains controversial owing to conflicting conclusions from previous studies. Methods and Results We obtained administrative claims on Medicare beneficiaries with initial critical limb ischemia diagnosis in 2011. Clinical outcomes and healthcare costs over 4 years were estimated among all patients and by first treatment (endovascular revascularization, surgical revascularization, or major amputation) in unmatched and propensity-score-matched samples. Among 72 199 patients with initial primary critical limb ischemia diagnosis in 2011, survival was 46% (median survival, 3.5 years) and freedom from major amputation was 87%. Among 9942 propensity-score-matched patients (8% rest pain, 26% ulcer, and 66% gangrene), survival was 38% with endovascular revascularization (median survival, 2.7 years), 40% with surgical revascularization (median survival, 2.9 years), and 23% with major amputation (median survival, 1.3 years; P<0.001 for each revascularization procedure versus major amputation). Corresponding major amputation rates were 6.5%, 9.6%, and 10.6%, respectively ( P<0.001 for all pair-wise comparisons). The cost per patient year during follow-up was $49 700, $49 200, and $55 700, respectively ( P<0.001 for each revascularization procedure versus major amputation). Conclusions Long-term survival and cost in critical limb ischemia management is comparable between revascularization techniques, with lower major amputation rates following endovascular revascularization. Primary major amputation results in shorter survival, higher risk of subsequent major amputation, and higher healthcare costs versus revascularization. Results from this observational research may be susceptible to bias because of the influence of unmeasured confounders.

Function and quality of life among primary osteosarcoma survivors in Iran: amputation versus limb salvage

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) in Iranian osteosarcoma patients and apply this to compare the functional level, quality of life, symptoms and financial burden of the patients who underwent amputation and limb-salvage operations.

METHODS

This study was conducted at the main referral orthopedic centers in the southwest of Iran from 2006 to 2016. After complete review of medical records, 48 patients were invited to attend the outpatient clinic and participate in the study via initial telephone interview. All data were entered in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15.0, and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In total, 48 patients with extremities osteosarcoma completed the study. Of these, 31 had been treated with limb-salvage operation and 17 had undergone amputation. In functioning subscale, all the mean score of items, except social function, were higher in the limb salvage group than the amputee group. The mean scores (SD) of global health and quality of life were 64.5(13.2) and 61.2± 12.4 in the limb salvage and amputee groups, respectively. In the financial impact subscale, the mean score (SD) in the limb salvage group was 68.8± (29.7) compared to 74.5(25.0) in the amputee group.

CONCLUSION

Results support the responsiveness of the EORTC QLQ-C30 for Iranian osteosarcoma patients. Applying this questionnaire revealed similar functional outcome, quality of life, symptoms and financial burden between amputation and limb-salvage groups.

Cost-effectiveness of prevention and management of diabetic foot ulcer and amputation in a health resource-limited setting

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to estimate the lifetime health and economic effects of different strategies of caring for diabetic foot in the Chinese setting.

METHODS

A mathematical model was developed to simulate the onset and progression of diabetic foot disease in patients with type 2 diabetes managed with optimal care and usual care. Clinical and utility data were obtained from the published literature. Direct medical costs and resource utilization in the Chinese healthcare setting were considered. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to test the effects of a range of variables and assumptions on the results. Heath benefits and costs were the outcome measures assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with usual care, optimal care was a cost-saving option that exhibited lower costs with improved health benefits, including greater quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and reduced incidence of foot complications. The lifetime saving costs per additional QALY gained by optimal care were US$2015. The model outcome was most sensitive to the risk ratio of foot ulcers and amputation for optimal care over usual care.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing guideline-based optimal care for diabetic foot is likely to be cost-effective in a health resource-limited setting.

Annual Direct Medical Costs of Diabetic Foot Disease in Brazil: A Cost of Illness Study

The aim of this study was to estimate the annual costs for the treatment of diabetic foot disease (DFD) in Brazil. We conducted a cost-of-illness study of DFD in 2014, while considering the Brazilian Public Healthcare System (SUS) perspective. Direct medical costs of outpatient management and inpatient care were considered. For outpatient costs, a panel of experts was convened from which utilization of healthcare services for the management of DFD was obtained. When considering the range of syndromes included in the DFD spectrum, we developed four well-defined hypothetical DFD cases: (1) peripheral neuropathy without ulcer, (2) non-infected foot ulcer, (3) infected foot ulcer, and (4) clinical management of amputated patients. Quantities of each healthcare service was then multiplied by their respective unit costs obtained from national price listings. We then developed a decision analytic tree to estimate nationwide costs of DFD in Brazil, while taking into the account the estimated cost per case and considering epidemiologic parameters obtained from a national survey, secondary data, and the literature. For inpatient care, ICD10 codes related to DFD were identified and costs of hospitalizations due to osteomyelitis, amputations, and other selected DFD related conditions were obtained from a nationwide hospitalization database. Direct medical costs of DFD in Brazil was estimated considering the 2014 purchasing power parity (PPP) (1 Int$ = 1.748 BRL). We estimated that the annual direct medical costs of DFD in 2014 was Int$ 361 million, which denotes 0.31% of public health expenses for this period. Of the total, Int$ 27.7 million (13%) was for inpatient, and Int$ 333.5 million (87%) for outpatient care. Despite using different methodologies to estimate outpatient and inpatient costs related to DFD, this is the first study to assess the overall economic burden of DFD in Brazil, while considering all of its syndromes and both outpatients and inpatients. Although we have various reasons to believe that the hospital costs are underestimated, the estimated DFD burden is significant. As such, public health preventive strategies to reduce DFD related morbidity and mortality and costs are of utmost importance.

Long-term consequences of landmine injury: A survey of civilian survivors in Bosnia-Herzegovina 20 years after the war

INTRODUCTION

Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in Europe. Since the beginning of the war in 1992, there have been 7968 recorded landmine victims, with 1665 victims since the end of the war in 1995. While many of these explosions result in death, a high proportion of these injuries result in amputation, leading to a large number of disabled individuals.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to conduct a survey of civilian landmine victims in Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to assess the effect of landmine injuries on physical, mental, and social well-being.

METHODS

Civilian survivors of landmine injuries were contacted while obtaining care through local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina to inquire about their current level of independence, details of their injuries, and access to healthcare and public space. The survey was based upon Physicians for Human Rights handbook, "Measuring Landmine Incidents & Injuries and the Capacity to Provide Care."

RESULTS

42 survivors of landmines completed the survey, with an average follow up period of 22.0 years (±1.7). Of civilians with either upper or lower limb injuries, 83.3% underwent amputations. All respondents had undergone at least one surgery related to their injury: 42.8% had at least three total operations and 23.8% underwent four or more surgeries related to their injury. 26.2% of survivors had been hospitalized four or more times relating to their injury. 57.1% of participants reported they commonly experienced anxiety and 47.6% reported depression within the last year. On average, approximately 3% of household income each year goes towards paying medical bills, even given governmental and non-governmental assistance. Most survivors relied upon others to take care of them: only 41.5% responded they were capable of caring for themselves. 63.4% of respondents reported their injury had limited their ability to gain training, attend school, and go to work.

CONCLUSION

The majority of civilian landmine survivors report adverse health effects due to their injuries, including anxiety, depression, multiple surgeries, and hospitalizations. The majority also experience loss of independence, either requiring care of family members for activities of daily living, disability, and inability to be employed. Further research is required to determine effective interventions for landmine survivors worldwide.

Risk of major amputation or death among patients with critical limb ischemia initially treated with endovascular intervention, surgical bypass, minor amputation, or conservative management

AIMS

Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have an increased risk of major amputation. The initial treatment approach for CLI may significantly impact the subsequent risk of major amputation or death. The objective of this study was to describe the initial treatment approaches of patients with CLI and the limb outcomes associated with each approach.

METHODS

Data from MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases from January 2006-December 2014 was utilized. Cohorts of CLI patients were defined as follows: (1) peripheral vascular intervention (PVI); (2) peripheral vascular surgery (PVS); (3) minor amputation without concomitant PVI or PVS (MinAMP); and (4) Patients without PVI, PVS, or MinAMP (conservative therapy). The odds of major amputation or inpatient death were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. For those patients requiring a major amputation, the incremental expenditures per member per month (PMPM) were estimated using a gamma log-link model.

RESULTS

Conservative therapy was associated with significantly higher odds of major amputation or inpatient death compared to patients who underwent minor amputation (1.59-times), PVI (2.08-times), or PVS (2.12-times). Patients treated with an initial strategy of minor amputation also had higher odds of major amputation or inpatient death compared to PVS (1.31-times) or PVI (1.33-times). The estimated incremental expenditures PMPM for patients with a major amputation was $5,165.

CONCLUSIONS

Revascularization reduces the risk of a major amputation or inpatient death for patients with CLI when compared to conservative therapy. Major amputation is also associated with significantly higher healthcare expenditures.

Treating Peripheral Artery Disease in the Wake of Rising Costs and Protracted Length of Stay

BACKGROUND

There has been growing scrutiny in the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease due to the utilization of resources to manage this complex patient population. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS > 7 days) following lower extremity bypass using data from the Vascular Quality Initiative as well as to define the additional costs incurred due to prolonged LOS in our health system.

METHODS

Summary statistics were performed of patients undergoing lower extremity bypass from 2010 to 2015. Student's t-tests and χ² tests were performed to compare those with and without prolonged LOS. Multivariable logistic regression was then performed to determine the independent predictors for increased LOS. We then compared our institutional LOS with that of representative institutions from the University Health System Consortium and evaluated the impact of prolonged LOS on limb salvage and survival.

RESULTS

This study included 334 patients with a mean age of 66.4 ± 12.4 years, 64.7% males, 58.5% of white race, 11.1% on dialysis, 80.5% smokers, and 53.6% with diabetes. The mean LOS was 15.7 ± 12.2 days. Prolonged LOS was associated with transfer (15.4% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.001), diabetes (58.3% vs. 40.2%, P = 0.004), critical limb ischemia (71.3% vs. 49.4%, P < 0.001), preoperative need for ambulatory assistance (44.5% vs. 16.1%, P < 0.001), prior ipsilateral bypass (6.9% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.042), urgent surgery (39.7% vs. 9.8%, P < 0.001), tibial or distal target vessel (52.7% vs. 28.0%, P < 0.001), use of vein (65.4% vs. 46.3%, P = 0.002), return to operating room (42.6% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001), ambulatory assistance (65.0% vs. 34.1%, P < 0.001) as well as discharge anticoagulant (22.8% vs. 9.8%, P = 0.010). Multivariable logistic regression identified urgency (odds ratio [OR] = 5.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.16-12.02, P < 0.001), critical limb ischemia (OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.65-5.90, P < 0.001), return to OR (OR = 40.30, 95% CI 5.36-303.20, P < 0.001), use of vein (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.18-4.07, P = 0.013), and the need for anticoagulation at discharge (OR = 2.56, 95% CI 1.03-6.33, P = 0.043) as independent predictors of LOS > 7 days. Prolonged hospital stays accounted for an additional $40,561.64 in total cost and $26,028 in direct costs incurred. Despite these increased costs, limb salvage and overall survival were not adversely impacted in the prolonged LOS group in follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower extremity bypass is associated with a longer than expected LOS in our health system, much of which can be attributed to return to the OR for minor amputations and wound issues. This led to added total and direct costs, where the majority of this increase was attributable to prolonged LOS. Limb salvage and overall survival were preserved, however, in this subset of patients in follow-up. These findings suggest that lower extremity bypass patients are a resource-intensive population of patients, but that these costs are worthwhile in the setting of preserved limb salvage and overall survival.

Possible consequences of regionally based bundled payments for diabetic amputations for safety net hospitals in Texas

OBJECTIVE

Ongoing health reform in the United States encourages quality-based reimbursement methods such as bundled payments for surgery. The effect of such changes on high-risk procedures is unknown, especially at safety net hospitals. This study quantified the burden of diabetes-related amputation and the potential financial effect of bundled payments at safety net hospitals in Texas.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of diabetic amputation burden and charges using publically available data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the Texas Department of Health from 2008 to 2012. Using hospital referral region (HRR)-level analysis, we categorized the proportion of safety net hospitals within each region as very low (0%-9%), low (10%-20%), average (20%-33%), and high (>33%) and compared amputation rates across regions using nonparametric tests of trend. We then used charge data to create reimbursement rates based on HRR to estimate financial losses.

RESULTS

We identified 51 adult hospitals as safety nets in Texas. Regions varied in the proportion of safety net hospitals from 0% in Victoria to 65% in Harlingen. Among beneficiaries aged >65, amputation rates correlated to the proportion of safety net hospitals in each region; for example, patients in the lowest quartile of safety net had a yearly rate of 300 amputations per 100,000 beneficiaries, whereas those in the highest quartile had a yearly rate of 472 per 100,000 (P = .007). Charges for diabetic amputation-related admissions varied almost 200-fold, from $5000 to $1.4 million. Using reimbursement based on HRR to estimate a bundled payment, we noted net losses would be higher at safety net vs nonsafety net hospitals ($180 million vs $163 million), representing a per-hospital loss of $1.6 million at safety nets vs $700,000 at nonsafety nets (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Regions with a high proportion of safety net hospitals perform almost half of the diabetic amputations in Texas. Changes to traditional payment models should account for the disproportionate burden of high-risk procedures performed by these hospitals.

A model to estimate cost-savings in diabetic foot ulcer prevention efforts

BACKGROUND

Sustained efforts at preventing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and subsequent leg amputations are sporadic in most health care systems despite the high costs associated with such complications. We sought to estimate effectiveness targets at which cost-savings (i.e. improved health outcomes at decreased total costs) might occur.

METHODS

A Markov model with probabilistic sensitivity analyses was used to simulate the five-year survival, incidence of foot complications, and total health care costs in a hypothetical population of 100,000 people with diabetes. Clinical event and cost estimates were obtained from previously-published trials and studies. A population without previous DFU but with 17% neuropathy and 11% peripheral artery disease (PAD) prevalence was assumed. Primary prevention (PP) was defined as reducing initial DFU incidence.

RESULTS

PP was more than 90% likely to provide cost-savings when annual prevention costs are less than $50/person and/or annual DFU incidence is reduced by at least 25%. Efforts directed at patients with diabetes who were at moderate or high risk for DFUs were very likely to provide cost-savings if DFU incidence was decreased by at least 10% and/or the cost was less than $150 per person per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-cost DFU primary prevention efforts producing even small decreases in DFU incidence may provide the best opportunity for cost-savings, especially if focused on patients with neuropathy and/or PAD. Mobile phone-based reminders, self-identification of risk factors (ex. Ipswich touch test), and written brochures may be among such low-cost interventions that should be investigated for cost-savings potential.

Composite Tissue Transplant of Hand or Arm: A Health Technology Assessment

BACKGROUND

Injuries to arms and legs following severe trauma can result in the loss of large regions of tissue, disrupting healing and function and sometimes leading to amputation of the damaged limb. People experiencing amputations of the hand or arm could potentially benefit from composite tissue transplant, which is being performed in some countries. Currently, there are no composite tissue transplant programs in Canada.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature, with no restriction on study design, examining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of hand and arm transplant. We assessed the overall quality of the clinical evidence with GRADE. We developed a Markov decision analytic model to determine the cost-effectiveness of transplant versus standard care for a healthy adult with a hand amputation. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated using a 30-year time horizon. We also estimated the impact on provincial health care costs if these transplants were publicly funded in Ontario.

RESULTS

Compared to pre-transplant function, patients' post-transplant function was significantly better. For various reasons, 17% of transplanted limbs were amputated, 6.4% of patients died within the first year after the transplant, and 10.6% of patients experienced chronic rejections. GRADE quality of evidence for all outcomes was very low. In the cost-effectiveness analysis, single-hand transplant was dominated by standard care, with increased costs ($735,647 CAD vs. $61,429) and reduced quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (10.96 vs. 11.82). Double-hand transplant also had higher costs compared with standard care ($633,780), but it had an increased effectiveness of 0.17 QALYs, translating to an ICER of $3.8 million per QALY gained. In most sensitivity analyses, ICERs for bilateral hand transplant were greater than $1 million per QALY gained. A hand transplant program would lead to an estimated annual budget impact of $0.9 million to $1.2 million in the next 3 years, 2016 to 2018, to treat 3 adults per year.

CONCLUSIONS

Composite tissue transplant of the hand or arm may improve a patient's ability to function, but because the overall quality of evidence is of very low quality, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether benefits outweigh harms. Compared with standard care, both single- and double-hand transplants are not cost-effective.