Cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring of diabetic foot ulcer patients
Iben Fasterholdt, Marie Gerstrøm, Benjamin Schnack Brandt Rasmussen, Knud Bonnet Yderstræde, Kristian Kidholm, Kjeld Møller Pedersen, Iben Fasterholdt, Marie Gerstrøm, Benjamin Schnack Brandt Rasmussen, Knud Bonnet Yderstræde, Kristian Kidholm, Kjeld Møller Pedersen
Abstract
This study compared the cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring with standard monitoring for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The economic evaluation was nested within a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. A total of 374 patients were randomised to either telemonitoring or standard monitoring. Telemonitoring consisted of two tele-consultations in the patient's own home and one consultation at the outpatient clinic; standard monitoring consisted of three outpatient clinic consultations. Total healthcare costs were estimated over a 6-month period at individual patient level, from a healthcare sector perspective. The bootstrap method was used to calculate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and one-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Telemonitoring costs were found to be €2039 less per patient compared to standard monitoring; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Amputation rate was similar in the two groups. In conclusion, a telemonitoring service in this form had similar costs and effects as standard monitoring.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01608425.
Keywords: cost-effectiveness analysis; diabetes; foot ulcers; randomised controlled trial; telemedicine.
Source: PubMed