Cost-effectiveness of hemodialysis in Japan.

Abstract

Evaluation of the socioeconomic value of medical intervention and establishment of the resources necessary for clinical practice are important for continued development of the medical system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) for end-stage kidney disease in Japan. There were two aims: a socioeconomic evaluation of online hemodiafiltration (HDF) in the medical system and an analysis of MHD with respect to the primary diseases of chronic kidney disease. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis based on quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). QALY were estimated using the EuroQOL-5 dimension. Reimbursement for medical fees in the national health insurance system was used as an indicator of costs. In a comparative analysis of hemodialysis and online HDF, a total of 288 dialysis interventions were observed for 4 weeks in 3 clinics. Among the subjects, nine patients were assigned to the HDF group. Consequently, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of HDF to hemodialysis was 20,589 ΔUSD/ΔQALY. In a comparative analysis of diabetic nephropathy and glomerulonephritis, seventeen patients (with a total of 243 dialysis sessions and a mean age of 63.2 ± 11.7 years) who underwent MHD for end-stage kidney disease (primary diseases: chronic glomerulonephritis [64.7%], diabetic nephropathy [35.3%]) were enrolled. After stratification for primary disease, the cost-effectiveness values for diabetic nephropathy were 88,774 ± 27,801 USD/QALY for 1 month and 97,416 ± 36,156 USD/QALY for 36 months. These results suggest that HDF is a cost-effective therapy. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness after 36 months of observation increased mainly among diabetic nephropathy patients.