Cost-effectiveness analysis of Qilong Capsules in treatment of ischemic stroke based on prospective real-world cohort study

Abstract

In this study, TreeAge Pro was used to build a decision tree model for Qilong Capsules in the treatment of ischemic stroke. We compared the economy between Qilong Capsules + conventional therapy vs conventional therapy in the treatment of ischemic stroke to guide the rational allocation of health resources in clinical practice. The cost parameters in the study were obtained from Menet and the relevant literature published recently. Meanwhile, the efficacy parameter [mean reduction in National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS) score after treatment] was employed to evaluate the short-term economic performance of the two therapies based on a prospective real-world cohort study. The time span of simulation was 24 weeks, and the robustness of this study was verified by sensitivity analysis. Qilong Capsules + conventional therapy and conventional therapy had the direct medical costs of CNY 22 546.50, 21 160.50 and the effectiveness of 2.08, 1.59 points, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER) of the two groups was CNY 2 811.36. That is, compared with conventional therapy, Qilong Capsules + conventional therapy in the treatment of ischemic stroke costed CNY 2 811.36 for each additional point reduction in NIHSS score. If the patient is willing to pay more than CNY 2 811.36, Qilong Capsules + conventional therapy is more economical. The result of sensitivity analysis verified that the ICER was robust. Thus, on the basis of the assumption that per capita disposable income in 2020 is the threshold of patients' willingness to pay, Qilong Capsules + conventional therapy is more economical than conventional therapy alone in the treatment of ischemic stroke.