Estimated costs in treating sickle cell disease leg ulcer

Abstract

Objective: To identify the costs of treating leg ulcers due to sickle cell disease from the perspective of the Unified Health System. Method: An observational, descriptive, cost-effective economic assessment study conducted in a single center with ulcer patients. The data collected were extracted from the participant’s medical records and recorded in a form prepared for this purpose. The cost of the products used in ulcer treatment was provided by the Solicitation/Purchasing Section and Pharmacy Sector of the study institution. The variables studied were ulcer area, number and interval between visits, patient’s length of stay in the service, materials used in each visit, and the number of nurse appointments. Results: The sample consisted of 29 patients. The average initial area of ulcers was 14.47 cm2, 79% of the cases had complete epithelialization in an average time of 8.02 months, with an average cost of R$ 1,288.06. The average cost to reduce 1 cm2 of the lesion area was R$ 102.20. Silver activated carbon coating was the most cost-effective treatment. Conclusion: The average cost for complete healing of a sickle cell ulcer with an average area of 14.95 cm2 was R$ 1,288.06.

Economic burden of sickle cell disease in Brazil

“…Economic burden related to several hematologic conditions were previously conducted in Brazil [ 20 , 46 – 50 ]. However, there are no studies using similar methods to estimate burden of illness in the country to date.…”

Organização dos serviços de atendimento a pacientes portadores de lesões de pele no Brasil

“…Após a leitura na íntegra dos 10 artigos eleitos, três foram excluídos pelos seguintes motivos: um dos artigos se tratava de uma solicitação de projeto de pesquisa, um não caracterizava os protocolos utilizados no tratamento e acompanhamento de pacientes acometidos por lesões cutâneas, e um deles não abordava o tema proposto nos resultados. Foram incluídos na amostra final, sete artigos [12][13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…Quando analisadas as informações referentes aos materiais e insumos utilizados no tratamento das lesões, três artigos descreveram o hidrocoloide, hidrogel, alginato de cálcio, gaze de rayon, carvão ativado, espuma com prata e o ácido graxo essencial (AGE) como as coberturas especiais prevalentes no tratamento [13,16,18]. O AGE é amplamente utilizado pela variada possibilidade de indicação e baixo custo; pode estar presente na gaze de rayon, também é comumente utilizada por não aderir ao leito da ferida [23][24][25].…”