Major Amputation In Non-Healing Ulcers: Outcomes and Economic Issues. Data from a Cohort of Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background: Foot ulcers have a relevant economic impact on Health Care Systems and the cost-effectivenesseffectiveness of options is not clear. The aim of this study was the assessment of costs for ulcers treatment after 6, 12, and 18 months of follow-up, compared to those for major amputation. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 196 types 2 diabetic patients with foot ulcers. The principal endpoints were 1) the proportion of recovered patients among those with ulcers not healed after 6 and 12 months; 2) the assessment of direct costs for treatment of ulcers 6, 12, and 18 months of follow-up, as compared to the cost of major amputation. The economic evaluation was performed considering the perspective of the local health system. Results: Out of 196 patients, 85(46.2%), 131(71.6%), and 140(85.9%) healed within 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The average health cost during the 18-month follow-up was 5402€ per patient. We calculated hypothetical costs for three different scenarios, in which patients who did not heal within 6 months underwent a major amputation at 6, 1,2, or 18 months. Costs for the standard of care for all these scenarios (6,094, 7,256, and 7649€ for 6, 12, or 18 months, respectively) were significantly lower than that for major amputations (21,065€). Conclusions: A conservative approach appears more convenient than major amputations in ulcers not healing after 6 months, irrespective of the estimated risk of individual patients.