Cost of treatment and reduction achieved by chronic ulcer in diabetic patients - a comparison between hydrogel and human recombinant epidermal growth factor

The study provides results from a double-blind clinical trial of 25 patients with diabetic or venous chronic ulcers. To evaluate the assessing cost of outpatient treatment with two technologies: 2% carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel or human recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor carbogel. Patients were randomly allocated to two ulcer treatment groups, human recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor treated (intervention group = 14), and 2% carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel (control group = 11); both treated during 90 days. To calculate the costs of each patient's procedures, direct costs and human resources costs were measured in Brazilian currency and converted into US dollars. Statistical analysis of clinical data was performed based on intention to treat. Were analyzed the proportion of cases with wound reduction; cost benefit of the treatment given by the average value of each 1cm2 wound reduction; statistics on the cost of reducing each cm2 of wound for each patient presenting wound reduction. In all evaluated periods, the proportion of cases with decreased lesion area was higher in the intervention group; It presented better cost-benefit ratio and lower average and median reduction cost for each reduced cm2 of the wound. Data suggested that growth factor therapy may be cost-effective and innovative complement to standard wound care.