Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment Using High Power Laser Compared to Conventional Treatment

Abstract

               This study aimed to assess the cost and effectiveness of high power lacer treatment for diabetes foot
ulcer compared to conventional treatment. It consisted of 2 steps: firstly, investigated cost and effectiveness
of 30 patients with conventional diabetic foot ulcer treatment at outpatient department, Banglamung
Hospital. The activities based costing (ABC) with healthcare provider perspective was applied to calculate
the costs of treatment. The wound surface area (WSA) was evaluated on effectiveness of the treatment.
The second step with cost effectiveness analysis using decision tree model was applied to compared
on conventional treatment with high power laser treatment on diabetic foot ulcer. The effectiveness of
was measured by WSA and amputation. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was presented. It
was found that the total direct cost and unit cost of conventional diabetic foot ulcer treatment were baht
10,067.34 and 437.71, respectively. Additionally, the total direct cost and unit cost of amputation were
baht 34,623.79 and 4,946.26, respectively. The conventional diabetic foot ulcer treatment was statistically
significant to reduce wound surface area. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio on high power
laser presented at 0.000034 on the WSA reduction and amputation. Therefore, the high power laser is
recommended to improve the WSA in diabetic foot ulcer.