The cost of venous leg ulcers in a Singapore tertiary hospital: an explorative study

Abstract

Background Venous leg ulcers (VLU) are chronic wounds that cause significant socioeconomic burdens on individuals and healthcare systems, yet data on this in the Singapore setting is sparse. Thus, this study aimed to describe the frequency of outpatient and inpatient visits for patients with VLU and the costs of compression therapy. Method A retrospective review of patients at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) diagnosed with VLU between 2016 and 2018 (primary and secondary) was conducted. Results A total of 4214 unique patients’ data were extracted; 238 patients (5.6%) received compression therapy. A patient on compression therapy in Singapore was estimated to spend a median of S$451.20 (US$333.26) for VLU. Patients on compression therapy had more visits to the outpatient clinics (Mean=3.26, SD=2.92) than patients who were not (M=1.57, SD=1.16). At outpatient clinics, patients on compression therapy spent more – M=S$309.88 (US$228.88), SD=S$379.90 (US$280.60) – than patients who were not –M=S$173.31 (US$128.01), SD=S$230.88 (US$170.53). Conclusion Compression therapy was received by minimal patients. As it is only offered at outpatient clinics, patients on compression therapy were found to spend more than their counterparts.