CAVITY FOOT ULCERS IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF CADEXOMER IODINE OINTMENT AND STANDARD TREATMENT - AN ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS ALONGSIDE A CLINICAL-TRIAL

Diabetic foot ulcers with exposure of tendon, muscle, or bone imply a high probability for deep infections and amputations, Delayed healing times are often described, The aim of this study was to compare the cl inical effect and economic cost of cadexomer iodine with standard trea tment in diabetic feet with cavity ulcers. Patients with deep, exudati ve foot ulcers were included in a 12-week open, randomised, comparativ e study, When ulcers stopped exudating, vaseline gauze was used in bot h groups until the end of the study. Costs were estimated for dressing material, staff and transportation, Clinically relevant improvement w as seen in 12 patients treated with cadexomer iodine and in 13 patient s treated with standard treatment, The average weekly cost was SEK 903 and SEK 1,421, respectively, of which the major part was costs for st aff and transportation related to frequency of dressing changes. Treat ment with cadexomer iodine ointment (Iodosorb(R)) showed no clinical d ifference compared to topical treatment consisting of gentamicin solut ion, streptodornase/streptokinase, or dry saline gauze but was associa ted with considerably lower weekly treatment costs.