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 percent c.i. -0.08 to 0.04). The four-layer bandage cost a mean of £227-32 (95 percent 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.