The Use of a Specialized Oral Nutritional Supplement in the Management of Chronic Wounds in Patients With and Without Diabetes Mellitus: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the cost-effectiveness of the use of a specialized oral nutritional supplement (ONS) with proline, arginine, vitamins, and micronutrients to stimulate the healing of chronic wounds in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This is a quantitative study on cost-effectiveness. This model used a decision-tree model followed by a budget impact analysis from the Brazilian public healthcare system's perspective. For this analysis, the population and data from a randomized trial of an oral specialized-ONS-containing supplement were considered. For budget impact analysis, an epidemiologic approach was used to estimate the eligible population. The eligible population comprised 3 different groups: patients with pressure ulcers, patients with vascular ulcers, and patients with diabetic feet. The budget impact analysis used the results of the cost-effectiveness analysis.

Results: The results demonstrate that the use of specialized ONS, when compared with control ONS, proved to be cost saving (cheaper and more effective), considering the presence of predictive scar factor. The aggregated budget impact analysis results shows that the total reduction of costs after 5 years is USD 332 628 437.00.

Conclusions: The use of a specialized ONS was cost-effective in the healing of chronic wounds, when compared with control. The budget impact analysis showed a significant decrease in costs in a 5-year time horizon for the management of pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers, and diabetic feet.

Keywords: cost and cost analysis; dietary supplements; wound healing; wounds and injuries.