LONG-TERM COSTS FOR FOOT ULCERS IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS IN A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SETTING

The purpose of this study was to analyze long-term costs for foot ulce rs in diabetic patients. Patients were treated and followed prospectiv ely by a foot care team. A retrospective economic analysis was perform ed of costs for 274 patients during 3 years from healing of an initial foot ulcer, with or without amputation. Costs were estimated for inpa tient care, outpatient care, home care, and social service. The cost c alculations include costs due to complications and disability related to the initial ulcer, costs related to recurrence of ulcer, and costs for prevention of new ulcers. Expected total present value cost per pa tient during 3 years of observation was $26,700 (U.S. dollars) for pri mary healed patients with critical ischemia and $16,100 for primary he aled patients without critical ischemia. For patients who healed with an amputation, the corresponding costs were $43,100 after a minor ampu tation and $63,100 after a major amputation. When estimating the costs for diabetic foot ulcers, it is not sufficient to calculate short-ter m costs. Long-term costs are high, mainly due to the need for increase d home care and social service, but also due to costs for recurrent ul cers and new amputations.