Kolluri R, Lugli M, Villalba L, Varcoe R, Maleti O, Gallardo F, Black S, Forgues F, Lichtenberg M, Hinahara J, Ramakrishnan S, Beckman JA. An estimate of the economic burden of venous leg ulcers associated with deep venous obstruction.
Vasc Med 2021;
27:63-72. [PMID:
34392750 PMCID:
PMC8808361 DOI:
10.1177/1358863x211028298]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction:
Venous leg ulcers (VLU) embody the most severe stage of the broad spectrum of
chronic venous disease. Approximately 40% of patients with VLU present with
the underlying deep venous disease (DVD). Although the data are scarce,
these deep venous disease-related VLU (DRV) are thought to have higher
recurrence rates and a substantial economic burden. The objective of this
study was to assess the economic burden of DRV across Australia, France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the USA.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to identify publications
documenting the incidence and prevalence of VLU and DRV, medical resource
utilization, and associated costs of DRV. Findings from this literature
review were used to estimate the economic burden of illness, including
direct medical costs over a 12-month interval following initial presentation
of a newly formed DRV.
Results:
Total annual incidence of new or recurrent DRV in Australia, France, Germany,
Italy, Spain, UK, and the US are estimated at 122,000, 263,000, 345,000,
253,000, 85,000, 230,000, and 643,000 events, respectively, in 2019.
Incidence ranges from 0.73 to 3.12 per 1000 persons per year. The estimated
annual direct medical costs for patients managed conservatively in these
geographies total ~ $10.73 billion (USD) or $5527 per person per year.
Conclusion:
The availability of published data on the costs of VLU care varies widely
across countries considered in this analysis. Although country-specific VLU
practice patterns vary, there is a uniform pattern of high-cost care.
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