COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF ADJUNCTIVE HYPERBARIC OXYGEN IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC ULCERS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study estimates the cost-effectiveness (CE) of the adjunctive use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in the treatment of diabetic ulcers based on the payer's and societal perspectives. METHODS: The study population was a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients sixty years of age with severe diabetic foot ulcers. A decision tree model was constructed to estimate the CE of HBO2 therapy in the treatment of diabetic ulcers at years 1, 5, and 12. Scenario and one-way sensitivity analyses were also undertaken to identify parameters that may significantly influence the estimates. RESULTS: The CE model estimated that the incremental cost per additional quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained at years 1, 5, and 12, was dollar 27,310, dollar 5,166, and dollar 2,255, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that HBO2 therapy in the treatment of diabetic ulcers is cost-effective, particularly based on a long-term perspective. However, the results are limited by the clinical studies that provide the basis of the CE estimation.