Economic analysis of VenUS I, a randomized trial of two bandages for treating venous leg ulcers

Background: The study investigated the cost-effectiveness of four-layer and short-stretch compression bandages for treating venous leg ulcers.

Methods: Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses were performed using patient-level data collected alongside the VenUS I leg ulcer study. The perspective for the economic analysis was that of the UK National Health Service (NHS) and Personal Social Service. The time horizon for the analysis was 1 year after recruitment. Health benefit was measured as differences in ulcer-free days and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

Results: The mean healing time for ulcers treated with four-layer bandages was 10·9 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) -6·8 to 29·1) days less than that for ulcers treated with short-stretch bandages. Mean average difference in QALYs between compression systems was -0·02 (95 per cent c.i. -0·08 to 0·04). The four-layer bandage cost a mean of £227·32 (95 per cent c.i. £16·53 to £448 ·30) less per patient per year than the short-stretch bandage.

Conclusion: On average, four-layer bandaging was associated with greater health benefits and lower costs than short-stretch bandaging.