Comparative cost and clinical effectiveness of clostridial collagenase ointment for chronic dermal ulcers

Abstract

Chronic dermal ulcers affect approximately 2.4-4.5 million people in the USA and are associated with loss of function, decreased quality of life and significant economic burden. Debridement is a critical component of wound care involving removal of nonviable tissue from chronic wounds to stimulate the granulation and epithelialization process. Clostridial collagenase ointment has been used as a method of wound debridement for more than 50 years and is currently the only enzymatic debriding ointment with US FDA approval. This review discusses the results of recent real-world studies that build upon the evidence demonstrating the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of clostridial collagenase ointment across wound types and care settings.

Keywords: clinical outcomes; clostridial collagenase ointment; cost–effectiveness; debridement; diabetic foot ulcer; epithelialization; granulation; pressure ulcer; venous leg ulcer.