Collagenase Injection versus Limited Fasciectomy for Dupuytren's Contracture.

BACKGROUND: Treatments for Dupuytren's contracture include limited fasciectomy and collagenase injection. Comparisons of the effectiveness of these treatments have been limited. METHODS: We performed an unblinded, multicenter, pragmatic, two-group, randomized, controlled noninferiority trial comparing collagenase injection with limited fasciectomy in persons with moderate Dupuytren's contracture. The primary outcome was the score on the Patient Evaluation Measure-Hand Health Profile (PEM), a questionnaire for assessing hand health as reported by the patient, at 1 year after treatment. Scores on the PEM range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse outcomes. The prespecified noninferiority margin was 6 points. RESULTS: A total of 672 persons (336 per group) were assigned to receive collagenase injection or to undergo limited fasciectomy. The primary analysis included 599 persons: 314 in the collagenase group and 285 in the limited-fasciectomy group. The mean score on the PEM at 1 year was 17.8 among the 284 patients with available data in the collagenase group and 11.9 among the 250 patients with available data in the limited-fasciectomy group (estimated difference, 5.9 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1 to 8.8; one-sided P = 0.49 for noninferiority). Among the patients with available data (229 patients in the collagenase group and 197 patients in the limited-fasciectomy group), the estimated difference in the mean score on the PEM at 2 years was 7.2 points (95% CI, 4.2 to 10.9). Moderate or severe complications of treatment occurred in 1.8% of the patients in the collagenase group and in 5.1% of those in the limited-fasciectomy group; recurrent contracture resulted in reintervention in 14.6% and 3.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Collagenase injection was not noninferior to limited fasciectomy with respect to the score on the PEM at 1 year after treatment. (Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Technology Assessment Programme; DISC ISRCTN Registry number ISRCTN18254597.).

Return to Work and Associated Costs after Treatment for Dupuytren's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Return to work is potentially an important factor in assessing the success of treatment. However, little is known about the return to work after treatment for Dupuytren's contracture. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to assess return to work after limited fasciectomy and percutaneous needle fasciotomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent either a limited fasciectomy or percutaneous needle fasciotomy were invited to complete a return-to-work questionnaire at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Median time to return to work was assessed using inverted Kaplan-Meier curves, and hazard ratios were calculated with Cox regression models. Finally, a cost analysis was carried out using the human capital method to determine indirect costs associated with loss of productivity. RESULTS: The authors included 2698 patients in the study, of which 53 percent were employed at intake and included in the follow-up. After 1 year of follow-up, 90 percent of the patients had returned to work. Median time to return to work was 2 weeks after limited fasciectomy and within days after percutaneous needle fasciotomy. Furthermore, physically strenuous work, female sex, and higher age were associated with a longer time to return to work. Lost productivity per patient was estimated at €2614.43. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients returned to work after treatment for Dupuytren's disease. Return to work is much faster after percutaneous needle fasciotomy compared to limited fasciectomy. These findings can be used for more evidence-based preoperative counseling with patients with Dupuytren's disease.

The burden of productivity loss of U.S. commercially insured patients diagnosed with Dupuytren's disease undergoing collagenase versus fasciectomy treatment.

Background: We conducted a comparative assessment of the productivity loss associated with the two different treatment options for Dupuytren's disease: collagenase and fasciectomy. Methods: The retrospective claims analysis was performed using the data from IBM MarketScan® Commercial (CD) and Health and Productivity Management (HPM) Databases over five years (2012-2016). We identified two cohorts of patients who underwent either collagenase or fasciectomy in the CD. Propensity-score matched patients were linked to their productivity loss claims in the HPM database. Productivity loss measures were assessed over a 12-month follow-up period. Results: Out of 702 collagenase and 999 fasciectomy propensity score-matched patients in the CD, there were 147 collagenase and 273 fasciectomy patients in the HPM database. Over the follow-up period, collagenase-treated patients were significantly less likely to use short-term disability (STD) leave (9.7% vs. 20.2%; P = 0.009), reflecting in the lower average number of absent STD days (mean, 2.8 vs. 8.1; P = 0.002) in comparison to fasciectomy-treated. The mean indirect STD cost was considerably lower in the collagenase vs. fasciectomy group ($375 vs. $1,108; P = 0.002). Conclusion: This study indicates that collagenase vs. fasciectomy treatment may be related to a lower rate of workplace absence and lower indirect cost in a year following the treatment.

Cost-effectiveness of Recurrent Dupuytren Contracture Treatment.

Importance: Owing to its tendency to recur, Dupuytren contracture often requires multiple treatments, which places additional economic burden on health care. The likelihood of contracture recurrence varies not only with treatment but also with disease characteristics, such as contracture severity and location, but prior cost-effectiveness analyses of Dupuytren contracture treatments have not considered these patient-specific disease characteristics. Objective: To identify the most cost-effective treatment regimen for patients with recurrent Dupuytren contracture. Design, Setting, and Participants: This economic evaluation was conducted with state-transition microsimulation modeling using data from published studies and Medicare. A simulated cohort of 10 000 individuals with Dupuytren contracture was created. Patients could transition yearly between the following health states: symptom-free, symptomatic, and death. Available treatments were collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection, percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA), and limited fasciectomy (LF); individuals randomly chose any treatment when symptomatic. Patients were limited to 3 rounds of treatment for a contracture affecting 1 joint, totaling 27 unique combinations. If the contracture recurred after 3 treatments, patients lived with the disease for the remainder of life. Exposures: PNA, collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection, or LF. Main Outcomes and Measures: Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), total costs (in US dollars), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). A willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year was used to assess cost-effectiveness. Results: For the base case scenario of a patient aged 60 years with recurrent, low-severity metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint contracture, repeated PNA treatment was the only cost-effective treatment (2 PNA treatments followed by LF vs 3 PNA treatments, ICER [Monte Carlo SE]: $212 647/QALY [$36 000/QALY]). For recurrent high-severity MCP joint contractures, treatment regimens composed of PNA and LF were cost-effective (ICER [Monte Carlo SE], $93 932/QALY [$16 500/QALY]). LF was cost-effective for high-severity MCP joint contracture (ICER [Monte Carlo SE], $98 624/QALY [$26 233/QALY]). For recurrent proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures, PNA was the only cost-effective treatment, regardless of severity (eg, 2 PNA treatments followed by LF vs 3 PNA treatments for low-severity PIP joint contracture, ICER [Monte Carlo SE]: $263 726/QALY [$29 000/QALY]). Any combination with collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection compared with 3 PNA treatments had an ICER greater than $100 000 per QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis estimated a 44%, 15%, 41%, and 52% chance of a regimen consisting of only PNA being cost-effective in low-severity MCP, high-severity MCP, low-severity PIP, and high-severity PIP joint contractures, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this study suggest that LF is a cost-effective intervention for recurrent high-severity MCP joint contractures. For recurrent low-severity MCP joint contractures and PIP joint contractures of all severity levels, PNA was the only cost-effective intervention. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections were not a cost-effective intervention for recurrent Dupuytren contracture and should not be preferred over PNA or LF.

Outcomes and Direct Costs of Needle Aponeurotomy, Collagenase Injection, and Fasciectomy in the Treatment of Dupuytren Contracture.

PURPOSE: The aims of our study were to evaluate the rates and predictors of reinterventions and direct costs of 3 common treatments of Dupuytren contractures-needle aponeurotomy, collagenase injection, and surgical fasciectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 848 interventions for Dupuytren contracture in 350 patients treated by a single surgeon from 2005 to 2016. The treatments included needle aponeurotomy (NA) (n = 444), collagenase injection (n = 272), and open fasciectomy (n = 132). We collected information on demographics, contracture details, and comorbidities. Outcomes included reintervention rates, time to reintervention, and direct cost of treatments. Standardized costs were calculated by applying 2017 Medicare reimbursement to professional services and cost-to-charge ratios to hospital charges. RESULTS: Demographics were similar among the 3 treatment groups. The fifth finger was the most commonly affected digit including 43% of the NA, 60% of the collagenase, and 45% of the fasciectomy groups. The 2-year rates of reintervention following NA, collagenase, and fasciectomy were 24%, 41%, and 4%, respectively, and the 5-year rates were 61%, 55%, and 4%, respectively. Younger age and severity of preintervention proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contracture were predictive of reintervention in the NA and collagenase groups. The standardized direct costs for NA, collagenase, and fasciectomy were $624, $4,189, and $5,291, respectively. Including all reinterventions, the cumulative costs per digit following NA, collagenase, and surgery at 5 years were $1,540, $5,952, and $5,507, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with collagenase resulted in the highest rate of reintervention at 2 years, comparable reintervention rates to NA at 5 years, and the highest cumulative costs. The NA was the least expensive and resulted in longer duration before reintervention compared with collagenase. More severe PIP joint contractures and younger age at time of initial intervention were predictive of reintervention after collagenase and NA. Fasciectomy has a high initial cost but the lowest reintervention rate. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Cost Comparison of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum and Fasciectomy for Treatment of Dupuytren's Contracture in the Australian Health System.

BACKGROUND: Dupuytren's disease results in contracted cords in the hand that lead to deformity and disability. Current treatment options include fasciectomy and an injectable, collagenase clostridium histolyticum. No cost comparison studies have been published within the Australian health care environment. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients treated for Dupuytren's disease in a major teaching hospital was undertaken to compare the costs of treatment by fasciectomy or collagenase injection. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent fasciectomy and 21 collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections were performed during the study period and were eligible for inclusion under the review criteria. Of the 39 patients, 36 were male and 3 were female with an average age 66.4 years (50-85). Twenty-five digits were treated by fasciectomy in 18 patients, and 23 digits were treated by collagenase in 21 patients. The fasciectomy group attended an average 9.2 visits (5-22), incurring an average costing of US$5738.12 per patient ($3181.18-$9618.10). The collagenase group attended an average 3.8 visits (3-8), incurring an average costing of US$2076.83 per patient ($1842.24-$3929.57). CONCLUSIONS: Collagenase treatment of Dupuytren's contracture represents a significant reduction in cost relative to fasciectomy, with 64% savings, length of follow up and number of visits. This is a similar finding to studies in other countries.

What do we know about managing Dupuytren's disease cost-effectively?

BACKGROUND: Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common and progressive, fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar and digital fascia of the hand. Various treatments have been recommended for advanced disease or to retard progression of early disease and to prevent deterioration of the finger contracture and quality of life. Recent studies have tried to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of therapies for DD, but there is currently no systematic assessment and appraisal of the economic evaluations. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, to identify studies reporting economic evaluations of interventions for managing DD. Databases searched included the Ovid MEDLINE/Embase (without time restriction), National Health Service (NHS) Economic Evaluation Database (all years) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Journals Library) Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Cost-effectiveness analyses of treating DD were identified and their quality was assessed using the CHEERS assessment tool for quality of reporting and Phillips checklist for model evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 103 studies were screened, of which 4 met the study inclusion criteria. Two studies were from the US, one from the UK and one from Canada. They all assessed the same interventions for advanced DD, namely collagenase Clostridium histolyticum injection, percutaneous needle fasciotomy and partial fasciectomy. All studies conducting a cost-utility analysis, two implemented a decision analytic model and two a Markov model approach. None of them were based on a single randomised controlled trial, but rather synthesised evidence from various sources. Studies varied in their time horizon, sources of utility estimates and perspective of analysis. The overall quality of study reporting was good based on the CHEERS checklist. The quality of the model reporting in terms of model structure, data synthesis and model consistency varied across the included studies. CONCLUSION: Cost-effectiveness analyses for patients with advanced DD are limited and have applied different approaches with respect to modelling. Future studies should improve the way they are conducted and report their findings according to established guidance for conducting economic modelling of health care technologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol was registered ( CRD42016032989 ; date 08/01/2016) with the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews.

A feasibility study investigating the acceptability and design of a multicentre randomised controlled trial of needle fasciotomy versus limited fasciectomy for the treatment of Dupuytren's contractures of the fingers (HAND-1): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dupuytren's contractures are fibrous cords under the skin of the palm of the hand. The contractures are painless but cause one or more fingers to curl into the palm, resulting in loss of function. Standard treatment within the NHS is surgery to remove (fasciectomy) or divide (fasciotomy) the contractures, and the treatment offered is frequently determined by surgeon preference. This study aims to determine the feasibility of conducting a large, multicentre randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of needle fasciotomy versus limited fasciectomy for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. METHODS/DESIGN: HAND-1 is a parallel, two-arm, multicentre, randomised feasibility trial. Eligible patients aged 18 years or over who have one or more fingers with a Dupuytren's contracture of more than 30° in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and/or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, well-defined cord(s) causing contracture, and have not undergone previous surgery for Dupuytren's on the same hand will be randomised (1:1) to treatment with either needle fasciotomy or limited fasciectomy. Participants will be followed-up for up to 6 months post surgery. Feasibility outcomes include number of patients screened, consented and randomised, adherence with treatment, completion of follow-up and identification of an appropriate patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to use as primary outcome for a main trial. Embedded qualitative research, incorporating a QuinteT Recruitment Intervention, will focus on understanding and optimising the recruitment process, and exploring patients' experiences of trial participation and the interventions. DISCUSSION: This study will assess whether a large multicentre trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of needle fasciotomy and limited fasciectomy for the treatment of Dupuytren's contractures is feasible, and if so will provide data to inform its design and successful conduct. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Registered Clinical/soCial sTudy Number: ISRCTN11164292 . Registered on 28 August 2015.

Impact on costs of switching one-ray aponeurectomy to percutaneous needle aponeurotomy in Dupuytren's disease: A model analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost of switching surgical aponeurectomy to percutaneous needle aponeurotomy in one-ray Dupuytren's disease. METHODS: A model analysis was performed with a cross-sectional national survey of public and private French hospitals in 2012. All stays for one-ray aponeurectomy were "virtually" replaced with 1, 2 or 3 outpatient sessions of percutaneous needle aponeurotomy. The costs were based on the hospital cost (tariff per disease-related group) and on common classification of medical procedures performed in outpatient care for 2013. RESULTS: Dupuytren's disease represented 18,707 hospitalizations (€26 million [2013 euros]) in France in 2012, 8534 hospitalizations for one-ray aponeurectomy (€11.9 million). By replacing surgical aponeurectomy with percutaneous needle aponeurotomy for one-ray Dupuytren's disease, 91% to 97% and 56% to 59% of the treatment costs could be saved using hospitalizations for one-ray aponeurectomy or total hospital costs, respectively, as reference. CONCLUSIONS: Replacing aponeurectomy with percutaneous needle aponeurotomy for one-ray Dupuytren's disease could greatly reduce the treatment costs for all Dupuytren's disease. Effective alternatives to surgery for Dupuytren's disease, such as needle aponeurotomy in an outpatient setting should be considered in the economic perspective.

Resource utilisation associated with single digit Dupuytren's contracture treated with either surgery or injection of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum.

UNLABELLED: The gold standard treatment for Dupuytren's contracture is surgical excision of the cord. A non-surgical treatment with collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection is available but appears costly. OBJECTIVES: To provide data on resource consumption related to surgical and non-surgical treatment for Dupuytren's contracture. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with a single digit Dupuytren's contracture, 10 treated with surgical excision, and 10 treated with a single injection of collagenase. MEASUREMENTS: Minutes spent in theatre, number of follow-up appointments, time to skin healing, and patients return to normal activities of daily living. RESULTS: The injection group was significantly better regarding theatre time (p < 0.0001), follow-up appointments (p = 0.048), skin healing time (p < 0.001), and return to normal activities of daily living (p = 0.02) than the operated group. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant personal and health economic differences between the two methods of treatment which may influence local choice.

Surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease - outcome and health economy in relation to smoking and diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The conventional treatment for Dupuytren's disease is surgery. The introduction of alternative treatment strategies creates a need to track outcomes and costs relating to surgical treatment and risk factors, such as smoking and diabetes. This was the aim of the present study. METHODS: In a prospective study, the outcome of open surgical treatment for finger flexion contracture in Dupuytren's disease (175 patients; 182 surgical procedures) was studied by evaluating valid QuickDASH forms answered by subjects before surgery and one year postoperatively. Data were also obtained from medical records, and preoperative declarations concerning health. RESULTS: In all subjects (median [25% - 75% percentiles] age 68 [62-73]), the QuickDASH score improved from 22 [9-36] to 5 [0-18]. Smokers (27/179 procedures) were younger and had a more severe degree of disease and dysfunction preoperatively than non-smokers, but the outcome of surgery did not differ between the groups. Subjects with diabetes (20/181 procedures) were younger than those without diabetes, but their disease severity or outcome did not differ. Hand specialists operated faster than residents, but the surgical outcome did not differ. Healthcare costs for surgery for Dupuytren's contracture were $ 2392 (€ 1859), which were not higher among smokers or subjects with diabetes. Only 22 patients remained in hospital (2 [1-2.3] days) and 28 patients needed sick leave (28 [21-31] days). The occurrence of necrosis of skin flaps (12%) or infections (6%) was no more frequent among smokers or those with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in surgical outcome for finger flexion contracture in Dupuytren's disease between smokers and non-smokers or between subjects with or without diabetes, although smokers had more severe preoperative contracture. The costs for surgical treatment for finger flexion contracture in Dupuytren's disease should be viewed in relation to that for other treatment strategies.

A single-centre cost comparison analysis of collagenase injection versus surgical fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture of the hand.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The options for treating patients with Dupuytren's contracture have broadened with the introduction of collagenase. Although the literature would suggest that collagenase treatment is effective, has few complications and is popular with patients, it has not been widely commissioned by the National Health Services of the United Kingdom and other European countries due to concerns about cost. The aim of this study was to compare the cost of surgical fasciectomy to collagenase injections for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture in a single centre. METHOD: Prospective data on 40 patients undergoing fasciectomy or collagenase injection (20 patients in each group) were collected between January and March 2013. Financial data on the costs of the procedures, equipment, theatre time and follow-up appointments were calculated. RESULTS: The average cost of an open partial fasciectomy pathway was £ 7115.34 and that of a collagenase pathway was £ 2110.62. Eight collagenase patients had physician-led follow-up appointments and only three had hand physiotherapy appointments. By contrast, every fasciectomy patient had at least one physician and one physiotherapist follow-up appointment routinely. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that collagenase treatment for Dupuytren's contracture of a single digit in selected patients is just over £ 5000 less than treatment for the same condition using surgical fasciectomy. Collagenase-treated patients require much less physician- and physiotherapist-led postoperative follow-up.

Costs for collagenase injections compared with fasciectomy in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare collagenase injections and surgery (fasciectomy) for Dupuytren's contracture (DC) regarding actual total direct treatment costs and short-term outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Orthopaedic department of a regional hospital in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 65 years or older with previously untreated DC of 30° or greater in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and/or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the small, ring or middle finger. The collagenase group comprised 16 consecutive patients treated during the first 6 months following the introduction of collagenase as treatment for DC at the study centre. The controls were 16 patients randomly selected among those operated on with fasciectomy at the same centre during the preceding 3 years. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with collagenase was given during two standard outpatient clinic visits (injection of 0.9 mg, distributed at multiple sites in a palpable cord, and next-day finger extension under local anaesthesia) followed by night-time splinting. Fasciectomy was carried out in the operating room (day surgery) under general or regional anaesthesia using standard technique, followed by therapy and splinting. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Actual total direct costs (salaries of all medical personnel involved in care, medications, materials and other relevant costs), and total MCP and PIP extension deficit (degrees) measured by hand therapists at 6-12 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: Collagenase injection required fewer hospital outpatient visits to a therapist and nurse than fasciectomy. Total treatment cost for collagenase injection was US$1418.04 and for fasciectomy US$2102.56. The post-treatment median (IQR) total extension deficit was 10 (0-30) for the collagenase group and 10 (0-34) for the fasciectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of DC with one collagenase injection costs 33% less than fasciectomy with equivalent efficacy at 6 weeks regarding reduction in contracture.

Use of resources and costs associated with the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture at an orthopedics and traumatology surgery department in Denia (Spain): collagenase clostridium hystolyticum versus subtotal fasciectomy.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to analyze and compare the use of direct health resources and costs generated in the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture using two different techniques: subtotal fasciectomy and infiltration with Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum (CCH) in regular clinical practice at the Orthopedic and Traumatology Surgery (OTS) Department at the Hospital de Denia (Spain). METHODS: Observational, retrospective study based on data from the computerized clinical histories of two groups of patients- those treated surgically using a one or two digit subtotal fasciectomy technique (FSC) and those treated with CCH infiltration, monitored in regular clinical practice from February, 2009 to May, 2012. Demographic (age, sex), clinical (number of digits affected and which ones) and use of resources (hospitalizations, medical visits, tests and drugs) data were collected. Resource use and associated costs, according to the hospital's accounting department, were compared based on the type of treatment from Spain's National Health Service. RESULTS: 91 patients (48 (52.8%) in the FSC group) were identified. The average age and number of digits affected was 65.9 (9.2) years and 1.33 (0.48) digits affected in the FSC group, and 65.1 (9.7) years and 1.16 (0.4) digits in the CCH group.Overall, the costs of treating Dupuytren's disease with subtotal FSC amount to €1,814 for major ambulatory surgery and €1,961 with hospital stay including admission, surgical intervention (€904), examinations, dressings and physiotherapy. As to collagenase infiltration, costs amount to €952 (including minor surgery admission, vial with product, office examination and dressings). Finally, comparing total costs for treatments, a savings of €388 is estimated in favor of CCH treatment in the best-case scenario (patient under MAS system with no need for physiotherapy) and €1,008 in the worst-case scenario (patient admitted to hospital needing subsequent physiotherapy), implying a savings of 29% and 51%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that treating patients with DC by injection with CCH at the OTS department of the Hospital de Denia generates a total savings of 29% and 51% (€388 and €1008) compared with fasciectomy at the time of treatment. Long term evolution of CCH treatment is uncertain and the recurrence rate unknown.

Cost-effectiveness in the management of Dupuytren's contracture. A Canadian cost-utility analysis of current and future management strategies.

In Canada, Dupuytren's contracture is managed with partial fasciectomy or percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA). Injectable collagenase will soon be available. The optimal management of Dupuytren's contracture is controversial and trade-offs exist between the different methods. Using a cost-utility analysis approach, our aim was to identify the most cost-effective form of treatment for managing Dupuytren's contracture it and the threshold at which collagenase is cost-effective. We developed an expected-value decision analysis model for Dupuytren's contracture affecting a single finger, comparing the cost-effectiveness of fasciectomy, aponeurotomy and collagenase from a societal perspective. Cost-effectiveness, one-way sensitivity and variability analyses were performed using standard thresholds for cost effective treatment ($50 000 to $100 000/QALY gained). Percutaneous needle aponeurotomy was the preferred strategy for managing contractures affecting a single finger. The cost-effectiveness of primary aponeurotomy improved when repeated to treat recurrence. Fasciectomy was not cost-effective. Collagenase was cost-effective relative to and preferred over aponeurotomy at $875 and $470 per course of treatment, respectively. In summary, our model supports the trend towards non-surgical interventions for managing Dupuytren's contracture affecting a single finger. Injectable collagenase will only be feasible in our publicly funded healthcare system if it costs significantly less than current United States pricing.

Budget impact analysis in Spanish patients with Dupuytren's contracture: fasciectomy vs. collagenase Clostridium histolyticum.

The aim of this study was to estimate the budget impact of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) vs. fasciectomy (FSC) surgery for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease (DD) in Spain. A cost minimization analysis was adopted (effectiveness was assumed to be equivalent for both techniques). DD related costs were considered. CCH costs (including drug, administration and visits) were obtained from clinical trials and a real-life study. FSC costs (including type of admission, visits, operating room, re-admissions, tests, drugs and rehabilitation costs) were collected through a retrospective, observational, local study. Unit costs were obtained from local database systems (e-SALUD and BOT). Results were presented from the NHS perspective for the next 3 years. We assumed that there were 5100 fasciectomies per year (with a 5% annual increase) and that 20%, 30% and 40% of them will annually utilize CCH. In addition, a 10%, 15% and 20% of untreated diagnosed patients were expected to receive CCH. All the data were validated through an expert panel. A sensitivity analysis was performed with the main variables. The average FSC cost was €2250 (72% inpatients), €1703 for outpatients and €2467 for inpatients. The average CCH cost was €1220 (1.5 vial/injection and four visits) and could drop to €898 (1.1 vial/injections and three visits). The accumulated 3years budget impact analysis (BIA) was 45,971€ (K€-2993(1); 3870). According to this study, the inclusion of the CCH should produce a 3-year cumulative budgetary impact of €45,971 (K€-2993; 3870) for the NHS.

[Utilization of health care resources and cost associated to fasciectomy in Dupuytren's disease in Spain]. / Utilización de recursos sanitarios y costes asociados a la fasciectomía en la enfermedad de Dupuytren en España.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the healthcare resource utilization and their associated costs secondary to fasciectomy of Dupuytren s disease (DD) treated under usual medical practice in Spain. METHODS: This multicenter, observational, retrospective cohort study, extracted data through the revision of medical records of three tertiary public hospitals. Each center should recruit 40 patients operated for DD, as principal diagnose of Minimum Data Set, in which the surgical procedure conducted was fasciectomy, during 2007-2009. To collect all the resources used during surgery, a specific chart form was designed. Demographic (age, gender, occupational status), clinical (stage of contracture and comorbilities) and healthcare utilization (hospitalizations, medical visits, tests, drugs) data were collected under medical routine. Comparisons between stage of contracture grouped (I: stage N, 1 & 2; II: stage 3 & 4) and centers were made. RESULTS: A total of 123 subjects (52% group I; 86.2% men; 35.8% active workers) were identified. 81.3% of patients presented at least one comorbidity, being hypertension the most frequent. 28.4% of patients were operated in ambulatory surgery and 71.6% hospitalized. All the patients had follow-up visits after surgery, 27% needed physical therapy, 88% performed preoperative tests and 8% visit the emergency room after surgery. Healthcare mean (SD) costs were as follows: fasciectomy €1,074 (0); hospitalizations €978 (743); ambulatory €186 (10); follow-up visits €260 (173); emergency rooms €13 (53); tests €78(43); drugs €7 (9); physical therapy €46 (134). Mean total costs were €2,250 (839). There were no significant differences between study groups grouped by stage of contracture. However, the center and the severity of the CD seem explanatory variables of cost, p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare resources utilization for surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease may cost €2,250 (839) per fasciectomy treated under usual medical practice.

[Development of length of stay and reimbursement in elective hand surgery after the introduction of DRGs in Germany]. / Entwicklung von Verweildauer und Vergütung handchirurgischer Elektiveingriffe durch Einführung der DRGs in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Since its introduction in Germany, the DRG (Diagnosis-Related Groups) system is often fraught with negative connotations. Frequent points of criticism are a deterioration of patient care by decreasing length of stay (LOS) in hospital and a decline in reimbursement. The following investigation analyzes and compares the development of length of stay and reimbursement in hand surgery based on the 3 most common elective procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The main diagnoses scaphoid nonunion (PSA), Dupuytren's contracture (DK) and rhizarthrosis (RIA) were evaluated for number of cases, length of stay, reimbursement per day and total reimbursement in 2000 as well as 2010 based on the data of our clinic. Patients covered by the Employers' Liability Insurance were not included. Only inpatient cases were considered. RESULTS: In PSA and RIA an increase in the number of cases is reported (PSA: +11 cases; RIA: +26 cases) and a decrease in DK ( - 7 cases). The sum of the total hospital days declined despite rising case numbers predominantly between 65 (RIA) and 260 days (DK). The average LOS decreased by 3.1 days at DK (48.4%) to 4.1 days at PSA (52.6%). Average revenues per day in 2000 amounted to 379 €, which corresponds to 442 € adjusted for inflation in 2010. Average revenue per day in 2010 was 755 € (RIA), 797 € (PSA) and 876 € (DK). Revenue per case in 2010 were only higher than in 2000, when 5 (RIA) or 6 hospital days (DK and PSA) were not exceeded. CONCLUSION: With declining revenue per case, the average income per day increased by a reduction in hospital days. A positive or at least equivalent revenue situation can thus only be achieved by a distinct concentration of labor and reduction of hospital days under the DRG-system.