Marginal Cost-effectiveness Research Articles

Chest Computed Tomographic Image Screening for Cystic Lung Diseases in Patients with Spontaneous Pneumothorax Is Cost Effective.

Patients without a known history of lung disease presenting with a spontaneous pneumothorax are generally diagnosed as having primary spontaneous pneumothorax. However, occult diffuse cystic lung diseases such as Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), and pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) can also first present with a spontaneous pneumothorax, and their early identification by high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) chest imaging has implications for subsequent management. The objective of our study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HRCT chest imaging to facilitate early diagnosis of LAM, BHD, and PLCH. We constructed a Markov state-transition model to assess the cost-effectiveness of screening HRCT to facilitate early diagnosis of diffuse cystic lung diseases in patients presenting with an apparent primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Baseline data for prevalence of BHD, LAM, and PLCH and rates of recurrent pneumothoraces in each of these diseases were derived from the literature. Costs were extracted from 2014 Medicare data. We compared a strategy of HRCT screening followed by pleurodesis in patients with LAM, BHD, or PLCH versus conventional management with no HRCT screening. In our base case analysis, screening for the presence of BHD, LAM, or PLCH in patients presenting with a spontaneous pneumothorax was cost effective, with a marginal cost-effectiveness ratio of $1,427 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Sensitivity analysis showed that screening HRCT remained cost effective for diffuse cystic lung diseases prevalence as low as 0.01%. HRCT image screening for BHD, LAM, and PLCH in patients with apparent primary spontaneous pneumothorax is cost effective. Clinicians should consider performing a screening HRCT in patients presenting with apparent primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Cost of Increasing Physical Activity and Maintaining Weight for Midlife Sedentary African American Women

ObjectiveTo evaluate the marginal costs of increasing physical activity and maintaining weight for a lifestyle physical activity program targeting sedentary African American women. MethodsOutcomes included change in minutes of total moderate to vigorous physical activity, leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity and walking per week, and weight stability between baseline and maintenance at 48 weeks. Marginal cost-effectiveness ratios (MCERs) were calculated for each outcome, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a bootstrap method. The analysis was carried out from the societal perspective and calculated in 2013 US dollars. ResultsFor the 260 participants in the analysis, program costs were $165 ± $19, and participant costs were $164 ± $35, for a total cost of $329 ± $49. The MCER for change in walking was $1.50/min/wk (95% CI 1.28–1.87), for change in moderate to vigorous physical activity was $1.73/min/wk (95% CI 1.41–2.18), and for leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity was $1.94/min/wk (95% CI 1.58–2.40). The MCER for steps based on the accelerometer was $0.46 per step (95% CI 0.30-0.85) and weight stability was $412 (95% CI 399–456). ConclusionsThe Women’s Lifestyle Physical Activity Program is a relatively low-cost strategy for increasing physical activity. The marginal cost of increasing physical activity is lower than for weight stability. The participant costs related to time in the program were nearly half the total costs, suggesting that practitioners and policymakers should consider the participant cost when disseminating a lifestyle physical activity program into practice.

Improving Breast and Colon Cancer Screening Rates: A Comparison of Letters, Automated Phone Calls, or Both

Low-cost interventions to improve cancer screening among primary care patients are needed. The comparative effectiveness of personalized letters, automated telephone calls, and both on breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is not known. A pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 2011 to 2012. Eligible primary care patients were women ages 50 to 74 years who were past due for mammography and men or women who were past due for mammography or CRC screening of any kind (>12 months since last fecal occult blood test, >5 years since last sigmoidoscopy/double-contrast barium enema, or >10 years since last colonoscopy), respectively. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 interventions: personalized mailed letters, automated telephone calls, or both. The primary outcome was medical record documentation of a completed mammogram or CRC screening within 36 weeks of randomization. We estimated the costs of each intervention and calculated the marginal cost-effectiveness per person screened. The crude screening rates for BC were 19%, 22%, and 37% and for CRC were 17%, 14%, and 24% for the letter, automated call, and combined (letter/automated call) groups, respectively. The combined intervention group had a statistically higher screening rate (P < .05) compared with either of the single intervention groups (letter only or automated call) for both BC and CRC in both the crude and adjusted analyses. The combined intervention costs $5.11 per additional person screened for BC and $13.14 per additional person screened for CRC. In a primary care practice, letters plus automated telephone calls are better than either alone in increasing cancer screening rates among patients who are overdue for screening. These findings suggest the promise of a relatively inexpensive intervention to improve cancer screening.

Patient-reported improvements in health are maintained 2 years after completing a short course of cognitive behaviour therapy, exercise or both treatments for chronic widespread pain: long-term results from the MUSICIAN randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesThe MUSICIAN study has previously shown short-term benefit but only marginal cost-effectiveness for two non-pharmacological interventions for chronic widespread pain (CWP). We wished to determine their long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.MethodsA...

Markov Model and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Bevacizumab in HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains an incurable disease despite advances in treatment modalities. In 2008, the FDA approved bevacizumab with paclitaxel for the initial treatment of HER2-negative MBC. The approval was then officially revoked by the FDA in November 2011. However, both the European Medicines Agency and NCCN still endorse bevacizumab for this indication. One of the greatest challenges facing health care worldwide is reconciling incremental clinical benefits with exponentially rising costs. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of bevacizumab with paclitaxel for HER2-negative MBC. A Markov decision tree using Data 3.5 (TreeAge Software Inc.) was created for decision and cost-effectiveness analyses of using bevacizumab plus paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone as first-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative MBC using efficacy and toxicity data from the E2100 study. The model was designed from the patient and payer perspectives and sensitivity analyses were run. The marginal cost between paclitaxel alone versus bevacizumab and paclitaxel was 86k with a marginal efficacy of 0.369 quality-adjusted life-years and marginal cost effectiveness of 232,720.72 USD. The expected outcome value was 1.86 for bevacizumab and paclitaxel and 1.67 for paclitaxel alone. The combination was not cost effective and only a marginal survival advantage was observed. This study demonstrates that, despite a significant progression-free survival advantage, the addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel is not cost effective for the cohort of patients with HER2-negative MBC included in our analysis. Such data could be informative to policymakers who consider the health economics and incremental cost-effectiveness of medical therapies.

A cost-benefit/cost-effectiveness analysis of an unsanctioned supervised smoking facility in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada.

BackgroundSmoking crack involves the risk of transmitting diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C (HCV). The current study determines whether the formerly unsanctioned supervised smoking facility (SSF)—operated by the grassroot organization, Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) for the last few years—costs less than the costs incurred for health-care services as a direct consequence of not having such a program in Vancouver, Canada.MethodsThe data pertaining to the attendance at the SSF was gathered in 2012–2013 by VANDU. By relying on this data, a mathematical model was employed to estimate the number of HCV infections prevented by the former facility in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES).ResultsThe DTES SSF’s benefit-cost ratio was conservatively estimated at 12.1:1 due to its low operating cost. The study used 70% and 90% initial pipe-sharing rates for sensitivity analysis. At 80% sharing rate, the marginal HCV cases prevented were determined to be 55 cases. Moreover, at 80% sharing rate, the marginal cost-effectiveness ratio ranges from $1,705 to $97,203. The results from both the baseline and sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the establishment of the SSF by VANDU on average had annually saved CAD$1.8 million dollars in taxpayer’s money.ConclusionsFunding SSFs in Vancouver is an efficient and effective use of financial resources in the public health domain; therefore, Vancouver Coastal Health should actively participate in their establishment in order to reduce HCV and other blood-borne infections such as HIV within the non-injecting drug users.

Different Strategies for First-Line Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: An Economic Analysis

AbstractAbstract 4696 Purpose:To evaluate the economic outcome of conventional and targeted therapies of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Methods:Two Markov simulation models were designed to measure the cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for newly diagnosed CML patients whether to be administered conventional therapy or six tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) based strategies. Clinical and utility data were taken mostly from the literature by a MEDLINE search. Costs were based on local charges. The primary output was reported in terms of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of the model output. The impact of patient assistance program (PAP) was assessed. Results:The imatinib plus peginterferon-Á switch 2nd TKIs strategy yielded the most health benefits for newly diagnosed CML patients when compared with the conventional, imatinib switch 2nd TKIs, imatinib switch conventional, imatinib plus IFN-Á switch conventional, nilotinib switch conventional and dasatinib switch conventional strategies (figure 1). Marginal cost-effectiveness was $79,134 or $17,600 per QALY gained relative to conventional strategy without or with PAP (figure 2). Both the nilotinib and dasatinib based strategies were more expensive yet less effective than the alternative strategies and were therefore dominated. Model outputs were sensitive to the cost of TKIs. Conclusion:Imatinib and imatinib plus peginterferon-Á based strategies are potentially more cost-effective and 2nd-generation TKIs may be preferred in the setting of imatinib failure. Patient assistant program in health resource limited setting might notably improve the economic outcome of TKIs based therapies. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Tradeoffs in cardiovascular disease prevention, treatment, and research.

It is widely believed that the US health care system needs to transition from a culture of reactive treatment of disease to one of proactive prevention. As a tool for understanding the appropriate allocation of spending to prevention versus treatment (including research into improved prevention and treatment), a simple Markov model is used to represent the flow of individuals among states of health, where the transition rates are governed by the magnitude of appropriately-lagged expenditures in each of these categories. The model estimates the discounted cost and discounted effectiveness (measured in quality adjusted life years or QALYs) associated with a given spending mix, and it allows computing the marginal cost-effectiveness associated with additional spending in a category. We apply the model to explore interactions of alternative investments in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to identify an optimal spending mix. Under the assumptions of our model structure, we find that the marginal cost-effectiveness of prevention of CVD varies with changes in spending on treatment (and vice versa), and that the optimal mix of CVD spending (i.e., the spending mix that maximizes the overall QALYs achieved) would, indeed, shift spending from treatment to prevention.

Cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model assessing the addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients.

1069 Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains an incurable disease despite advances in treatment modalities. In 2008, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2100 trial (E2100) results led to FDA approval for bevacizumab with paclitaxel in the initial treatment of HER2-negative MBC. The addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel led to a gain of around 2.5 months of progression-free survival (PFS), no significant benefit on overall survival (OS), and increased toxicity. In November 2011, the FDA officially revoked approval of bevacizumab for HER2-negative MBC. However, both the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and NCCN still endorse bevacizumab for this indication. One of the greatest challenges facing healthcare worldwide is reconciling incremental clinical benefits with exponentially rising costs. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of bevacizumab with paclitaxel for HER2-negative MBC. Methods: A Markov decision tree using Data 3.5 (TreeAge Software, Inc.) was created to do decision and cost-effectiveness analyses of using bevacizumab in combination with paclitaxel versus paclitaxel alone as first-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative MBC using efficacy and toxicity data from the E2100 study. Costs were obtained from the Center for Medicare Services Drug Payment Table and Physician Fee Schedule. The model was designed from the patient and payer perspectives and sensitivity analyses were run. Results: The marginal cost between paclitaxel alone versus bevacizumab and paclitaxel was 86K with a marginal efficacy of 0.369 quality-adjusted life-years and marginal cost effectiveness of 232,720.72 USD. The expected outcome value was 1.86 for bevacizumab and paclitaxel and 1.67 for paclitaxel alone. However, the combination was not cost effective and only a marginal survival advantage that was not significant was observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that, despite a significant PFS advantage, the addition of bevacizumab to paclitaxel is not cost-effective for patients with HER2-negative MBC. Such data could be informative to policymakers who consider the health economics and incremental cost-effectiveness of medical therapies.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of eribulin (E) versus treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) in patients (pts) with pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

e16525 Background: Eribulin was FDA approved in 2010 for pts previously receiving &gt;2 prior chemotherapeutic regimens for MBC. This approval was based on the phase 3 trial (EMBRACE) which demonstrated that E significantly improved median overall survival (OS) relative to different TPC by 2.5 months [HR 0.81; p=0.041]. Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of E versus the 3 most commonly selected TPC in EMBRACE. We also evaluated the cost effectiveness of E compared to other approved drugs for MBC. We created a decision-analytical model using clinical data from the EMBRACE trial. Health utilities were derived from the published literature. Costs for drug acquisition, physician visits, and laboratory tests were obtained from Medicare Services Drug Payment Table and Physician Fee Schedule and are represented in 2011 USD. Life-years saved (LY), Quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) were calculated using the EMBRACE median OS data. TPC cost was calculated with 3 most commonly used drugs: vinorelbine (V), gemcitabine (G), and capecitabine (X), comprising 60% of pts in the TPC arm. Other drugs analyzed included liposomal doxorubicin (D), nab-paclitaxel (A), and ixabepilone (I). Greater GCSF use with E vs. TPF was also accounted for in our model. Results: E added 0.208 LY and 0.119 QALY with an incremental cost over TPC of $24,035; and therefore a cost of $115,369/LY and an ICER of $201,790/QALY. The main drivers of the model were drug acquisition cost, OS, and health utility values. The results of the model were robust in sensitivity analyses. Because of the very low cost of V and G, we looked at the cost-effectiveness of E relative to several other drugs commonly used in this setting, but used in fewer pts in the pivotal trial. Relative to ixabepilone, liposomal doxorubicin, nab-paclitaxel, and capecitabine the ICER for E was $85,130, $98,538, $119,029, and $154,591, respectively. Conclusions: Using commonly accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds, E appears to be cost effective in the treatment of MBC relative to D, A, X, and I; with marginal cost effectiveness for less expensive drugs such as V and G.

Economic Evaluation of First-Line Treatments for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in A Health Resource–Limited Setting

BackgroundTo estimate, from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system, the economic outcomes of five different first-line strategies among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).Methods and FindingsA decision-analytic model was developed to simulate the lifetime disease course associated with renal cell carcinoma. The health and economic outcomes of five first-line strategies (interferon-alfa, interleukin-2, interleukin-2 plus interferon-alfa, sunitinib and bevacizumab plus interferon-alfa) were estimated and assessed by indirect comparison. The clinical and utility data were taken from published studies. The cost data were estimated from local charge data and current Chinese practices. Sensitivity analyses were used to explore the impact of uncertainty regarding the results. The impact of the sunitinib patient assistant program (SPAP) was evaluated via scenario analysis. The base-case analysis showed that the sunitinib strategy yielded the maximum health benefits: 2.71 life years and 1.40 quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). The marginal cost-effectiveness (cost per additional QALY) gained via the sunitinib strategy compared with the conventional strategy was $220,384 (without SPAP, interleukin-2 plus interferon-alfa and bevacizumab plus interferon-alfa were dominated) and $16,993 (with SPAP, interferon-alfa, interleukin-2 plus interferon-alfa and bevacizumab plus interferon-alfa were dominated). In general, the results were sensitive to the hazard ratio of progression-free survival. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the sunitinib strategy with SPAP was the most cost-effective approach when the willingness-to-pay threshold was over $16,000.ConclusionsOur analysis suggests that traditional cytokine therapy is the cost-effective option in the Chinese healthcare setting. In some relatively developed regions, sunitinib with SPAP may be a favorable cost-effective alternative for mRCC.

Custo-efetividade da escovação dental supervisionada convencional e modificada na prevenção da cárie em molares permanentes de crianças de 5 anos de idade

The cost-effectiveness of a modified supervised toothbrushing program was compared to a conventional program. A total of 284 five-year-old children presenting at least one permanent molar with emerged/sound occlusal surface participated. In the control group, oral health education and dental plaque dying followed by toothbrushing with fluoride dentifrice was carried outfour times per year. With the test group, children also underwent professional cross-brushing on surfaces of first permanent molar rendered by a dental assistant five times per year. Enamel/dentin caries were recorded on buccal, occlusal and lingual surfaces of permanent molars for a period of 18 months. The incidence density (ID) ratio was estimated using Poisson's regression model. The ID was 50% lower among boys in the test group (p = 0.016). The cost of the modified program was US$ 1.79 per capita. The marginal cost-effectiveness ratio among boys was US$ 6.30 per avoided carie. The modified supervised toothbrushing program was shown to be cost-effective in the case of boys.

Cost effectiveness of total knee arthroplasty from a health care providers' perspective before and after introduction of an interdisciplinary clinical pathway - is investment always improvement?

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective, but also cost-intensive health care intervention for end stage osteoarthritis. This investigation was designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of TKA before versus after introduction of an interdisciplinary clinical pathway from a University Orthopedic Surgery Department's cost perspective as an interdisciplinary full service health care provider.MethodsA prospective trial recruited two sequential cohorts of 132 and 128 consecutive patients, who were interviewed by means of the WOMAC questionnaire. Direct process costs from the health care providers' perspective were estimated according to the German DRG calculation framework. The health economic evaluation was based on margiual cost-effectveness ratios (MCERs); an individual marginal cost effectiveness relation ≤ 100 € per % WOMAC index increase was considered as primary endpoint of the confirmatory cohort comparison. The interdisciplinary clinical pathway under consideration primarily consisted of a voluntary preoperative personal briefing of patients concerning postoperatively expectable progess in health status and optimum use of walking aids after surgery. All patients were supplied with written information on these topics, attendance of the personal briefing also included preoperative training for postoperative mobilisation by the Department's physiotherapeutic staff.ResultsAn individual marginal cost effectiveness relation ≤ 100 €/% WOMAC index increase was found in 38% of the patients in the pre pathway implementation cohort versus in 30% of the post pathway implementation cohort (Fisher p = 0.278). Both cohorts showed substantial improvement in WOMAC scores (39 versus 35% in median), whereas the cohort did not differ significantly in the median WOMAC score before surgery (41% for the pre pathway cohort versus 44% for the post pathway cohort). Despite a locally significant decrease in costs (4303 versus 4194 € in median), the individual cost/benefit relation became worse after introduction of the pathway: for the first cohort the MCER was estimated 108 € per gained % WOMAC index increase (86 - 150 €/%) versus 118 €/% WOMAC gain (93 - 173 €/%) in the second cohort after pathway implementation. In summary, the proposed critical pathway for TKA could be shown to be significantly cost efficient, but not cost effective concerning functional outcome, when the above individual marginal cost effectiveness criterion was concentrated on.ConclusionsThe introduction of an interdisciplinary clinical pathway does not necessarily improve patient related outcomes. On the contrary, cost effectiveness from the health care providers' perspective may even turn out remarkably reduced in the setting considered here (functional outcome assessment after treatment by a full service health care provider).

Economic Analysis of Hepatitis B Screening and Treatment

Economic Analysis of Hepatitis B Screening and Treatment

Cost‐effectiveness of Telemetry for Hospitalized Patients With Low‐risk Chest Pain

The majority of chest pain admissions originate in the emergency department (ED). Despite a low incidence of cardiac events, limited telemetry availability, and its questionable benefit, these patients are routinely admitted to a monitored setting. The objectives were to analyze the cost-effectiveness of admission to telemetry versus admission to an unmonitored hospital bed in low-risk chest pain patients and explore when the use of telemetry may be cost-effective. The authors constructed a decision analytic model to evaluate the scenario of an ED admission of an otherwise healthy 55-year-old patient with low-risk chest pain defined as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) probability of 2%. Costs were estimated from 2009 Medicare data for hospital reimbursement and physician services, as well as published data on disability costs. Published studies were used to estimate the risk of ACS, cardiac arrest, time to defibrillation, survival, long-term disability, and quality of life. In the base case, telemetry was more effective (0.0044 quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]) but more costly ($299.67) than a floor bed, resulting in a high marginal cost-effectiveness ratio (mCER) of $67,484.55 per QALY. In comprehensive sensitivity analyses, the mCER crossed below the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $50,000 per QALY when the following scenarios were met: the probability of ACS exceeds 3%, the probability of cardiac arrest is greater than 0.4%, the probability of shockable dysrhythmia is above 83%, the probability of delay in telemetry bed availability is below 52%, and the opportunity cost of delay to telemetry bed placement is below $119. Telemetry may be a "cost-effective" use of health care resources for chest pain patients when patients have a probability of ACS above 3% or for patients with a minimal delay and cost associated with obtaining a monitored bed. Further research is needed to better stratify low-risk chest pain patients to the appropriate inpatient setting and to understand the frequency and costs associated with delays in obtaining monitored beds.

Screening for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis by High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Young, Nonsmoking Women Presenting with Spontaneous Pneumothorax Is Cost-Effective

Women with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) who present with a sentinel spontaneous pneumothorax (SPTX) will experience an average of 2.5 additional pneumothoraces. The diagnosis of LAM is typically delayed until after the second pneumothorax. We hypothesized that targeted screening of an LAM-enriched population of nonsmoking women between the ages of 25 and 54 years, who present with a sentinel pneumothorax indicated by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), will facilitate early identification, definitive therapy, and improved quality of life for patients with LAM. We constructed a Markov state-transition model to assess the cost-effectiveness of screening. Rates of SPTX and prevalence of LAM in populations stratified by age, sex, and smoking status were derived from the literature. Costs of testing and treatment were extracted from 2007 Medicare data. We compared a strategy based on HRCT screening followed by pleurodesis for patients with LAM, versus no HRCT screening. The prevalence of LAM in nonsmoking women, between the ages of 25 and 54 years, with SPTX is estimated at 5% on the basis of the available literature. In our base case analysis, screening for LAM by HRCT is the most cost-effective strategy, with a marginal cost-effectiveness ratio of $32,980 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Sensitivity analysis showed that HRCT screening remains cost-effective for groups in which the prevalence of LAM in the population subset screened is greater than 2.5%. Screening for LAM by HRCT in nonsmoking women age 25-54 that present with SPTX is cost-effective. Physicians are advised to screen for LAM by HRCT in this population.

Thiopurine S-Methyltranferase Testing in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Pharmacogenetic Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Azathioprine in combination with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and steroids is a standard therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Its use, however, is limited by its side effects, principally leukopenia. A genotypic assay, thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), has been developed that can potentially identify those at risk for developing leukopenia with azathioprine, and thereby limit its toxicity. In those with abnormal TPMT activity, azathioprine can be started at lower dose or an alternate regimen selected. Determine the cost-effectiveness of a treatment strategy using TPMT testing before initiation of azathioprine, NAC, and steroids in IPF by performing a computer-based simulation. We developed a decision analytic model comparing three strategies: azathioprine, NAC and steroids with and without prior TPMT testing, and conservative therapy, consisting of only supportive measures. Prevalence of abnormal TPMT alleles and complication rates of therapy were taken from the literature. We assumed a 12.5% incidence of abnormal TPMT alleles, 4% overall incidence of leukopenia while taking azathioprine, and that azathioprine, NAC, and steroids in combination reduced IPF disease progression by 14% during 12 months. TPMT testing before azathioprine, NAC, and steroids was the most effective and most costly strategy. The marginal cost-effectiveness of the TPMT testing strategy was $49,156 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained versus conservative treatment. Compared with azathioprine, NAC and steroids without prior testing, the TPMT testing strategy cost only $29,662 per QALY gained. In sensitivity analyses, when the prevalence of abnormal TPMT alleles was higher than our base case, TPMT was "cost-effective." At prevalence rates lower than our base case, it was not. TPMT testing before initiating therapy with azathioprine, NAC, and steroids is a cost-effective treatment strategy for IPF.

Additional Factors That Could Improve Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacogenetic-Guided Dosing in Warfarin Therapy

Letters7 July 2009Additional Factors That Could Improve Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacogenetic-Guided Dosing in Warfarin TherapyMark H. Eckman, MD, MS, Jonathan Rosand, MD, MSc, Steven M. Greenberg, MD, PhD, and Brian F. Gage, MD, MScMark H. Eckman, MD, MSFrom University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110.Search for more papers by this author, Jonathan Rosand, MD, MScFrom University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110.Search for more papers by this author, Steven M. Greenberg, MD, PhDFrom University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110.Search for more papers by this author, and Brian F. Gage, MD, MScFrom University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-1-200907070-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We appreciate the comments of Drs. Geisler and Levin-Scherz and agree with many of their observations. The results of our analysis are more nuanced than a simple assertion that pharmacogenetic-guided dosing is not cost effective. Indeed, we used sensitivity analyses to explore how changes in either health care delivery systems or patient characteristics might affect the cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenetic-guided dosing. With regard to systems changes that might make this strategy cost-effective, we found that the marginal cost-effectiveness ratio drops below a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000 per quality-adjusted life-year when the cost of genotyping is less than $200 ...Reference1. Gage BF, Yan Y, Milligan PE, Waterman AD, Culverhouse R, Rich MW, et al. Clinical classification schemes for predicting hemorrhage: results from the National Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (NRAF). Am Heart J. 2006;151:713-9. [PMID: 16504638] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Mark H. Eckman, MD, MS; Jonathan Rosand, MD, MSc; Steven M. Greenberg, MD, PhD; Brian F. Gage, MD, MScAffiliations: From University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; and Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoCost-Effectiveness of Using Pharmacogenetic Information in Warfarin Dosing for Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Mark H. Eckman , Jonathan Rosand , Steven M. Greenberg , and Brian F. Gage Additional Factors That Could Improve Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacogenetic-Guided Dosing in Warfarin Therapy Benjamin P. Geisler and Jeffrey K. Levin-Scherz Metrics 7 July 2009Volume 151, Issue 1Page: 71KeywordsAdverse eventsConflicts of interestForecastingGenotypingHealth careHemorrhageMedical risk factorsQuality adjusted life yearsRandomized trialsRelative risk ePublished: 7 July 2009 Issue Published: 7 July 2009 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...

Cost-Effectiveness of Disease-Modifying Therapies in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis for the Medicare Population

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for the management of multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to best supportive care in the United States. Methods Cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken using a state transition model of disease natural history and the impact of DMTs for the representative Medicare beneficiary with MS. Costs and outcomes were evaluated from the health-care payer perspective using a 50-year time horizon. Natural history data were drawn from a longitudinal cohort study. The effectiveness of the DMTs was evaluated through a systematic review. Utility data were taken from a study of patients with clinically definite MS in Nova Scotia. Resource use and cost data were derived from the Sonya Slifka database and associated literature. Results When based on placebo-controlled evidence, the marginal cost-effectiveness of interferon beta (IFNβ) and glatiramer acetate compared to best supportive care is expected to be in excess of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. When evidence from head-to-head trials is incorporated into the model, the cost-effectiveness of 6 MIU IFNβ-1a is expected to be considerably less favorable. Treatment discontinuation upon progression to Expanded Disability Status Scale 7.0 is expected to improve the cost-effectiveness of all DMTs. Conclusions Further research is required to examine the long-term clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these therapies. There is no definitive guidance in the United States concerning discontinuation of DMTs; this study suggests that the prudent use of a treatment discontinuation rule may considerably improve the cost-effectiveness of DMTs.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of ED decision making in patients with non–high-risk heart failure

Background The ED disposition of patients with non–high-risk acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is challenging. To help address this problem, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of different ED disposition strategies. Methods We constructed a decision analytic model evaluating the cost-effectiveness of 3 possible ED ADHF disposition strategies in a 60-year-old man: (1) discharge home from the ED; (2) observation unit (OU) admission; (3) inpatient admission. Base case patients had no high-risk features. We used Medicare costs and the national physician fee schedule to capture ED, OU, and hospital costs, including costs of complications and death. All analyses were conducted using Decision Maker software (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ). Results Compared to ED discharge, OU admission had a reasonable marginal cost-effectiveness ratio ($44 249/quality adjusted life year), whereas hospital admission had an unacceptably high marginal cost-effectiveness ratio ($684 101/quality adjusted life year). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that as the risk of early (within 5 days) and late (within 30 days) readmission exceeded 36% and 74%, respectively, in those discharged from the ED, OU admission became less costly and more effective than ED discharge. Similarly, an increase in relative risk of both early and late death in those discharged from the ED improves the marginal cost-effectiveness ratio of OU admission. Finally, as postdischarge event rates increase in those discharged from the OU, hospital admission became more cost-effective. Conclusion Observation unit admission for patients with non–high-risk ADHF has a societally acceptable marginal cost-effectiveness ratio compared to ED discharge. However, as ED and OU discharge event rates increase, hospital admission becomes the more cost-effective strategy.