Societal Perspective Research Articles

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Routine Childhood Immunization with 20-Valent versus 15-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in Germany.

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine childhood immunization with the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) in a four-dose regimen (3 + 1 schedule) versus the 15-valent PCV (PCV15/V114) in a three-dose regimen (2 + 1) in Germany. The study utilized a decision-analytic Markov model to estimate lifetime costs and effectiveness outcomes for a single birth cohort in Germany. The model tracked the incidence of acute pneumococcal infections and long-term pneumococcal meningitis sequelae for both vaccination strategies. The vaccine effectiveness data were derived from published clinical trials and observational studies of PCV7 and PCV13. Indirect effects, such as herd protection and serotype replacement, were included in the model. The model adopted a societal perspective, including direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed. In the base case, PCV20 prevented more pneumococcal disease cases and deaths, with an expected gain of 96 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to V114. However, PCV20 was associated with a total incremental cost of EUR 48,358,424, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of EUR 503,620/QALY. Most of the scenario and sensitivity analyses estimated that the ICER for PCV20 exceeded EUR 150,000/QALY. Routine childhood immunization with PCV20 instead of V114 may not be an economically efficient use of healthcare resources in Germany.

Modeling the Clinical and Economic Burden of Therapeutic Inertia in People with Type 2 Diabetes in Saudi Arabia.

Therapeutic inertia in type 2 diabetes, defined as a failure to intensify treatment despite poor glycemic control, can arise due to a variety of factors, despite evidence linking improved glycemic control with reductions in diabetes-related complications. The present study aimed to evaluate the health and economic burden of therapeutic inertia in people with type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia. The IQVIA Core Diabetes Model (v.9.0) was used to evaluate outcomes. Baseline cohort characteristics were sourced from Saudi-specific data, with baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tested at 8.0%, 9.0%, and 10.0%. Modeled subjects were brought to an HbA1c target of 7.0% immediately or after delays of 1-5years across time horizons of 3-50years. Outcomes were discounted annually at 3.0%. Costs were accounted from a societal perspective and expressed in 2023 Saudi Arabian Riyals (SAR). Immediate glycemic control was associated with improved or equal life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy and cost savings in all scenarios compared with delays in achieving target HbA1c. Combined cost savings ranged from SAR411 (EUR 102) per person with a baseline HbA1c of 8.0% versus a 1-year delay over a 3-year time horizon, to SAR 21,422 (EUR 5291) per person with a baseline HbA1c of 10.0% versus a 5-year delay over a 50-year time horizon. Discounted life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy were projected to improve by up to 0.4years and 0.5 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), respectively, with immediate glycemic control. Therapeutic inertia was associated with a substantial health and economic burden in Saudi Arabia. Interventions and initiatives that can help to reduce therapeutic inertia are likely to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditure.

Is it worth screening quarry workers for TB infection in high-incidence areas? A cost-benefit analysis

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) infection screening of high-risk groups is an important strategy for achieving End TB targets. A TB infection screening program was implemented for quarry workers from a Portuguese high-incidence area in 2018–2022. We aimed to calculate the cost-benefit of the screening program from the societal perspective. MethodsWe calculated medical and non-medical direct and indirect screening costs and compared them with the cost savings from averted cases of TB disease. We estimated the number of potentially averted TB disease cases based on the risk of progression of TB infection to TB disease found in the literature. ResultsDuring the screening program, 997 workers were screened. TB infection was diagnosed in 215 workers, 150 of those initiated preventive treatment. Screening program total costs were €136,295. Twenty-nine TB cases were potentially prevented, what would have costed €152,386. Savings of €16,091 were obtained (€4516, €40898, and -€29322 from the workers, employers, and NHS, respectively). ConclusionsThe monetary benefit of a TB infection screening program directed to quarry workers in a high-incidence area was greater than its cost. Companies and workers saved substantially more money. TB infection tests that are better predictors of progression to TB disease could reduce NHS costs.

A cost-of-illness study of eosinophilic esophagitis in Italy: assessing direct and indirect costs

BackgroundEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic and progressive type 2 inflammatory disease affecting the esophagus. Its prevalence has increased in recent years due to increased awareness, evolving clinical guidelines, and heightened sensitivity among healthcare professionals managing the condition. The exact causes behind EoE’s development remain unknown, and its clinical presentation varies, often leading to significant diagnostic delays depending on the age at which symptoms manifest. Consequently, achieving long-term disease control through heightened awareness becomes imperative. EoE generates a significant clinical burden, resulting in substantial economic consequences for patients, healthcare systems, and society. This study aimed to assess the economic and social impacts on EoE patients within the Italian context.MethodsA cost-of-illness analysis was conducted from two perspectives: the National Health System (NHS) and the societal perspective. This analysis encompassed direct healthcare, indirect healthcare, and non-healthcare costs. Data were collected and assessed through a survey administered to a panel of expert clinicians and EoE-affected patients.ResultsManaging EoE incurs a significant burden on healthcare systems, amounting to €6,852.28 per patient per year. The primary cost component appears to be direct costs, comprising 60.73% of the total cost per patient for this condition, while indirect costs contribute to 29.68% of the overall management expenses.ConclusionThis analysis underscores a substantial financial burden on both the healthcare system and patients affected by eosinophilic esophagitis. It emphasizes the imperative need for a continuous and combined effort from clinicians, patients, and families to promptly recognize symptoms and adaptive behavior to mitigate diagnostic delays.

Estimated Health and Economic Outcomes of Racial and Ethnic Tuberculosis Disparities in US-Born Persons

Despite significant progress made toward tuberculosis (TB) elimination, racial and ethnic disparities persist in TB incidence and case-fatality rates in the US. To estimate the health outcomes and economic cost of TB disparities among US-born persons from 2023 to 2035. Generalized additive regression models projecting trends in TB incidence and case-fatality rates from 2023 to 2035 were fit based on national TB surveillance data for 2010 to 2019 in the 50 US states and the District of Columbia among US-born persons. This baseline scenario was compared with alternative scenarios in which racial and ethnic disparities in age- and sex-adjusted incidence and case-fatality rates were eliminated by setting rates for each race and ethnicity to goal values. Additional scenarios were created examining the potential outcomes of delayed reduction of racial and ethnic disparities. The potential benefits of eliminating disparities from differences between baseline and alternative scenario outcomes were quantified. Data were analyzed from January 2010 to December 2019. Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity. TB cases and deaths averted, quality-adjusted life years gained, and associated costs from a societal perspective. The study included 31 811 persons with reported TB from 2010 to 2019 (mean [SD] age, 47 [24] years; 20 504 [64%] male; 1179 [4%] American Indian or Alaska Native persons; 1332 [4%] Asian persons; 12 152 [38%] Black persons; 6595 [21%] Hispanic persons; 299 [1%] Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander persons; and 10 254 [32%] White persons). There were 3722 persons with a reported TB death. Persistent racial and ethnic disparities were associated with an estimated 11 901 of 26 203 TB cases among US-born persons (45%; 95% uncertainty interval [UI], 44%-47%), 1421 of 3264 TB deaths among US-born persons (44%; 95% UI, 39%-48%), and an economic cost of $914 (95% UI, $675-$1147) million from 2023 to 2035. Delayed goal attainment reduced the estimated avertable TB outcomes by 505 (95% UI, 495-518) TB cases, 55 (95% UI, 51-59) TB deaths, and $32 (95% UI, $24-$40) million in societal costs annually. In this modeling study of racial and ethnic disparities of TB, these disparities were associated with substantial future health and economic outcomes of TB among US-born persons without interventions beyond current efforts. Actions to eliminate disparities may reduce the excess TB burden among these persons and may contribute to accelerating TB elimination within the US.

Public Health and Economic Impact of Periodic COVID-19 Vaccination with BNT162b2 for Old Adults and High-Risk Patients in an Illustrative Prefecture of Japan: A Budget Impact Analysis.

Japan will be transitioning from the free-of-charge COVID-19 vaccination program to annual periodic vaccination under a national immunization program for old adults and high-risk patients from 2024 fall/winter season. The policy transition including out-of-pocket payment requirement may discourage vaccination, leading to a lower vaccination rate. This study aimed to estimate the impact of varying vaccination rates with BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine on economics and public health in an illustrative prefecture which administers and promotes the periodic vaccination program, using budget impact analysis. A combined cohort Markov decision tree model estimated the public health outcomes of COVID-19-related symptomatic cases, hospitalizations and deaths; and the economic outcomes including vaccine-related cost, non-vaccine-related medical cost, and productivity loss from the societal perspective. The base case examined the impact on the outcomes when vaccination coverage changed from the reference value of 50% to upper and lower values, respectively. Scenario analyses were performed based on multiple scenarios. Increase in the vaccination rate demonstrated improvement in all public health outcomes. At 50% vaccination, the vaccine-related cost for 3years in a prefecture was estimated at JPY 7.58 billion (USD 57.67 million), the non-vaccine-related medical cost at JPY 79.22 billion (USD 602.48 million), the productivity loss at JPY 253.11 billion (USD 1.92 billion), and the total cost at JPY 339.92 billion (USD 2.59 billion). When the vaccination rate increased to 90%, the total cost decreased by JPY 4.88 billion (USD 37.11 million) (1.4%). When the vaccination rate decreased to 10%, the total cost increased by JPY 5.73 billion (USD 43.58 million) (1.7%). Results were consistent across almost all scenario analyses. Maintaining a high vaccination rate with BNT162b2 is important from both public health and economic perspectives in Japan. The findings highlight to local governments the importance of continued effort to promote vaccination.

Public Preference for Off-Label Use of Drugs for Cancer Treatment and Relative Importance of Associated Adverse Events: A Discrete Choice Experiment and Best-Worst Scaling.

Patients may get more treatment options with off-label use of drugs while exposed to unknown risks of adverse events. Little is known about the public or demand-side perspective on off-label drug use, which is important to understand how to use off-label treatment and devise financial assistance. This study aimed to quantify public preference for off-label cancer treatment outcomes, process, and costs, and perceived importance of associated adverse events. A discrete choice experiment and a best-worst scaling were conducted in Hong Kong in December 2022. Quota sampling was used to randomly select the study sample from a territory-wide panel of working-age adults. Preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for treatment effectiveness, risk of adverse events, mode of drug administration, and availability of off-label treatment guidelines were estimated using a random parameter logit model and latent class model. The relative importance of different adverse events was elicited using Case 1 best-worst scaling. A total of 435 respondents provided valid responses. In the discrete choice experiment, the respondents indicated that extra overall survival as treatment effectiveness (WTP: HK$448,000/US$57,400 for 12-month vs 3-month extra survival) was the most important attribute for off-label drugs, followed by the risk of adverse events (WTP: HK$318,000/US$40,800 for 10% chance to have adverse event vs 55%), mode of drug administration (WTP: HK$42,000/US$5300 for oral intake vs injection), and availability of guidelines (WTP: HK$31,000/US$4000 for available versus not available). Four groups with distinct preferences were identified, including effectiveness oriented, off-label use refusal, oral intake oriented, and adverse event risk aversion. In the best-worse scaling, hypothyroidism, nausea/vomiting, and arthralgia/joint pain were the three most important adverse events based on the perceptions of respondents. Risk-averse respondents, who were identified from the discrete choice experiment, had different perceived importance of the adverse events compared with those with other preferences. Knowing the preference and WTP for cancer treatment-related characteristics from a societal perspective facilitates doctors' communications with patients on decision making and treatment goal-setting for off-label treatment, and enables devising financial assistance for related treatments. This study also provides important insight to inform evaluations of public acceptance and information dissemination in drug development as well as future economic evaluations.

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination strategies for older Canadian adults: a cost-utility analysis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines could reduce disease burden and costs in older Canadian adults, but vaccination program cost-effectiveness is unknown. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of different age cut-offs for RSV adult vaccination programs, with or without a focus on people with higher disease risk due to chronic medical conditions. We developed a static individual-based model of medically attended RSV disease to compare alternative age-, medical risk-, and age-plus medical risk-based vaccination policies. The model followed a multiage population of 100 000 people aged 50 years and older. Vaccine characteristics were based on RSV vaccines authorized in Canada as of May 2024, with vaccine protection assumed to last 2 years (or 3 years in scenario analyses). We calculated sequential incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in 2023 Canadian dollars per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) from the health-system and societal perspectives, discounted at 1.5%. Although all vaccination strategies averted medically attended RSV disease, universal age-based strategies were not an efficient use of resources compared with medical risk-based strategies. Vaccinating adults aged 70 years and older with 1 or more chronic medical condition was the optimal strategy for a cost-effectiveness threshold of $50 000 per QALY. Results were sensitive to assumptions about vaccine price, but medical risk-based approaches remained optimal compared with age-based strategies, even when vaccine prices were low. Findings were robust to a range of alternative assumptions. Vaccination programs for RSV in some groups of older Canadians with underlying medical conditions are likely cost-effective. These findings can inform the design of vaccination programs.

Economic evaluation on meningococcal vaccination strategies among children under nine years of age in Zhejiang province, China.

Meningococcal vaccination in Chinese national immunization program (NIP) includes polysaccharide vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (MPV-A) and polysaccharide vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and C(MPV-AC). This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of an alternative strategy using polysaccharide conjugate vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A,C,W,Y(MCV-ACWY) and polysaccharide vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A,C,W,Y(MPV-ACWY). From a societal perspective, we constructed a decision tree-Markov model to simulate the economic and health consequences of meningococcal disease in a 2023 birth cohort with the current meningococcal vaccination strategy and the alternative. Parameters of epidemiology, vaccine efficacy, cost, and utility were extracted from database and previous literatures. The sensitivity analysis was implemented to evaluate the robustness of the model. Compared to the current practice, the alternative strategy could avoid 513 meningococcal disease cases, 53 sequelae and 47 deaths. The ICER was estimated at $16899.81 /QALY, under the threshold of one time of the GDP per capita of Zhejiang province in 2023. The incidence of meningococcemia, the incidence of meningococcal meningitis, the case fatality of meningococcemia, the vaccine efficacy of MCV-ACWY and the price of MCV-ACWY would influence the cost-effectiveness of the meningococcal vaccination strategies. At the threshold, the probability of cost-effectiveness was 14.76% for the current strategy and 55.98% for the alternative strategy, respectively. The current meningococcal vaccination strategy had effectively prevented meningococcal disease at a low cost, but with limited serogroup coverage. Strategy using MCV-ACWY and MPV-ACWY could increase health benefits at a substantial cost at a cost-effective manner.

HPV vaccination strategy for 14-year-old females and economic returns for cervical cancer prevention in Wuxi City, China: a cost effectiveness analysis

BackgroundSince December 2021, Wuxi, China has offered a two-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to 14-year-old females for free. This study evaluated the costs and benefits of this vaccination scheduled in the Expanded Program on Immunization in Wuxi from the perspective of the cities’ demographic characteristics, economic development, and policy support.MethodsThe model-based economic evaluation used TreeAge Pro software to construct a decision tree-Markov model for the vaccination strategy in which 100,000 14-year-old females received two doses of bivalent HPV vaccine or no vaccination. Costs and effects of the strategy were assessed from a societal perspective through literature research and data obtained from the Wuxi Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Univariate, multivariate, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed the stability of the findings.ResultsThe cost of the bivalent HPV vaccine in Wuxi is 711.3 CNY. The two-dose of bivalent HPV vaccine for 100,000 14-year-old females would cost an additional 658,016 CNY compared to no vaccination, but would result in 1,960 Quality Adjustment Years of Life (QALYs). Using the per capita gross domestic product of 187,415 CNY in 2021 in Wuxi as the willingness-to-pay threshold, the vaccination strategy costs 3,357.37 CNY per QALY gained, which is much lower than the threshold, suggesting that it is a very cost-effective strategy. In addition, the vaccine strategy reduced the incidence of cervical cancer by 300 cases and cervical cancer deaths by 181 cases, representing a benefit-cost ratio of 2.86 (> 1) when health output outcomes were measured in monetary terms. These results suggested that the vaccination strategy was advantageous. Sensitivity analyses showed that changes in the parameters did not affect the conclusions and that the findings were robust.ConclusionsCompared to no vaccination, the delivery of two doses of bivalent HPV vaccine for 14-year-old females was a more highly cost-effective and optimal strategy.

Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp) in advanced Parkinson’s Disease (aPD): demonstration of savings from a societal perspective in the UK

Aims In advanced Parkinson’s disease (aPD), adequate 24-hour control of OFF-time may not be achievable using oral/transdermal therapies. Clinical trials of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDP) demonstrate meaningful reductions in OFF-time and OFF-related sleep disturbance in aPD. Previous analyses have only considered direct medical costs: this analysis considers a broader societal perspective (direct non-medical costs, informal care, loss of earnings, productivity, and tax). Methods Inputs for the societal impact model were taken from a cost-utility model comparing LDp/CDp with best medical treatment (BMT), accepted by the UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Quintiles of normalized OFF-time across a 16-hour waking day in each treatment group were applied to literature-based estimates for direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs. The resulting state-specific cost estimates were applied to the modelled aPD patient population. Results The model estimates the potential UK population for LDp/CDp at 17,505. Continuous 24-hour delivery of LDp/CDp results in greater time spent in OFF-time states 0–1 (0–4 hours of OFF-time/16-hour waking day) vs BMT alone. Net savings if all eligible patients receive LDp/CDp are £79.1 M in year 1, £235.4 M in year 2, rising to £262.2 M in year 3, declining to £222.9 M in year 4 and £153.7 M in year 5 as disease progresses and the efficacy of LDp/CDp declines. The estimated total net savings are £953 M after 5 years. Results are robust in scenario analyses (excluding costs of excessive sleepiness, earnings loss, productivity, and tax loss). Limitations A NICE-accepted model was used as the economic modelling basis for the societal impact model, however, much of the data was derived from Adelphi datasets, with the potential for inconsistent definitions. Conclusion When considered from a societal perspective, the use of LDp/CDp in aPD patients inadequately controlled on oral therapy is associated with net healthcare and societal annual savings of over £79.1 M vs BMT.

Societal costs and quality of life associated with arginase 1 deficiency in a European setting – a multinational, cross-sectional survey

Background and aims Arginase 1 deficiency (ARG1-D) is a ultrarare disease with manifestations that cause mobility and cognitive impairment that progress over time and may lead to early mortality. Diseases such as ARG1-D have a major impact also outside of the health care sector and the aim of this study was to estimate the current burden of disease associated with ARG1-D from a societal perspective. Methods The study was performed as a web-based survey of patients with ARG1-D and their caregivers in four European countries (France, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom). The survey was distributed at participating clinics and included questions on e.g. symptoms (including the Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS, and cognitive impairment), health care use, medication, ability to work, caregiving, and impact on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) using the EQ-5D-5L. Results The estimated total mean societal cost per patient and year was £63,775 (SD: £49,944). The cost varied significantly with both mobility impairment (from £49,809 for GMFCS level 1 to £103,639 for GMFCS levels 3-5) and cognitive impairment (from £43,860 for mild level to £99,162 for severe level). The mean utility score on the EQ-5D-5L for patients was 0.498 (SD: 0.352). The utility score also varied significantly with both mobility impairment (from 0.783 for GMFCS level 1 to 0.153 for GMFCS level 3-5) and cognitive impairment (from 0.738 for mild level to 0.364 for severe level). Conclusions Similar to other studies of rare diseases, the study is based on a limited number of observations. However, the sample appear to be reasonably representative when comparing to previous studies of ARG1-D. This study shows that ARG1-D is associated with a high societal cost and significant impact on HRQoL. Earlier diagnosis and better treatment options that can postpone or withhold progression may therefore have a potential for improved HRQoL and savings for the patient, caregiver, and society.

Economic Evaluation of Population-Based BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing in Canada

Population-based BRCA testing can identify many more BRCA carriers who will be missed by the current practice of BRCA testing based on family history (FH) and clinical criteria. These carriers can benefit from screening and prevention, potentially preventing many more breast and ovarian cancers and deaths than the current practice. To estimate the incremental lifetime health outcomes, costs, and cost-effectiveness associated with population-based BRCA testing compared with FH-based testing in Canada. For this economic evaluation, a Markov model was developed to compare the lifetime costs and outcomes of BRCA1/BRCA2 testing for all general population women aged 30 years compared with FH-based testing. BRCA carriers are offered risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy to reduce their ovarian cancer risk and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography screening, medical prevention, and risk-reducing mastectomy to reduce their breast cancer risk. The analyses were conducted from both payer and societal perspectives. This study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to February 20, 2024. Outcomes of interest were ovarian cancer, breast cancer, additional heart disease deaths, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ICER per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). One-way and probabilistic-sensitivity-analyses (PSA) were undertaken to explore the uncertainty. In the simulated cohort of 1 000 000 women aged 30 years in Canada, the base case ICERs of population-based BRCA testing were CAD $32 276 (US $23 402.84) per QALY from the payer perspective or CAD $16 416 (US $11 903.00) per QALY from the societal perspective compared with FH-based testing, well below the established Canadian cost-effectiveness thresholds. Population testing remained cost-effective for ages 40 to 60 years but not at age 70 years. The results were robust for multiple scenarios, 1-way sensitivity, and PSA. More than 99% of simulations from payer and societal perspectives were cost-effective on PSA (5000 simulations) at the CAD $50 000 (US $36 254.25) per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. Population-based BRCA testing could potentially prevent an additional 2555 breast cancers and 485 ovarian cancers in the Canadian population, corresponding to averting 196 breast cancer deaths and 163 ovarian cancer deaths per 1 000 000 population. In this economic evaluation, population-based BRCA testing was cost-effective compared with FH-based testing in Canada from payer and societal perspectives. These findings suggest that changing the genetic testing paradigm to population-based testing could prevent thousands of breast and ovarian cancers.

Assessing the economic burden of vision loss and irreversible legal blindness in Spain (2021–2030): a societal perspective

ObjectiveTo estimate the economic impact for the society, generated as a consequence of the onset of loss of vision and irreversible legal blindness, for the main ophthalmologic diseases in Spain: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and high myopia (HM).MethodsA cost analysis model was developed to estimate the economic burden of glaucoma, DR, DME, AMD and HM over a 10-year time horizon (2021-2030), from a societal perspective in Spain.The epidemiological and economic parameters used in the model were obtained through a literature review. Prevalence, incidence, and progression stages were used to establish the epidemiological flows. Annual costs per patient from publications were included and classified into direct healthcare, direct non-healthcare and indirect costs. Costs from other countries were converted based on purchasing-power-parity (€EUR, PPP). Epidemiological parameters about population and cost results were validated by a panel of experts.All costs were adjusted to euros, 2021 (€, 2021), and using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the last 10 years, extrapolated to 2030 euros (€, 2030).ResultsIt was estimated that the total population of patients with the main diseases pathologies (glaucoma, DR, DME, AMD and HM) will increase to 7.99 million patients by 2030, representing an increase of 103%.The total cost by 2030 of all pathologies would amount to 99.8 billion euros. Direct non-healthcare costs account for the largest item (44%), followed by loss of productivity costs (38%), and direct healthcare costs (18%). The pathologies with the highest cumulative costs will be glaucoma (€33.6 billion) and DME (€19.8 billion).The greatest increment costs compared to 2021 will likely be generated by pathologies related to diabetes mellitus, such as DR (703%) and DME (317%).ConclusionsKnowing the costs associated with the pathologies that generate loss of vision and irreversible legal blindness is essential to understand the socioeconomic impact associated with these pathologies. Furthermore, the high cost of treating these diseases makes necessary to coordinate efforts between administrations, together with the support of patient associations, to meet their needs.

Portrayal of Woman in Mulk Raj Anand’s the old woman and the cow and Arundhati Roy’s "the Ministry of Utmost Happiness

The arrival of a woman is like the first light of dawn, dispelling the shadows. She has the power to dispel any anxiety that arises from mental shadows, like the sun that illuminates the world. Essentially, life begins with women. The fact that women are the ones who brought this universe into being is an undeniable fact. A strong belief in women's inherent worth as human beings is fundamental to feminism. It identifies shifts in cultural norms that repress women and works to alter those norms. Feminism examines and analyses the repressed position of women in a socio-political setting by pursuing such an effort. Equal rights and status for women are the goals of this movement. The Indian author Mulk Raj Anand also wrote short stories. The Indian social fabric is something that Arundhati Rao has a keen eye for. As a revolutionary spark for the litterateurs of the twenty-first century, he fights for the rights of the marginalised and oppressed. In his books, Anand depicts the impoverished people of India in a realistic light. This article uses Arundhati Rao's The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) as a lens through which to examine Mulk Raj Anand's 1960 novel The Old Woman and the Cow via the feminist topic of gender inequalities. There is a noticeable trend in modern English-language literature towards works written by Indian women. From a societal and personal perspective, this study examines the achievements of Indian women.

Systematic Review of the Cost of Illness of Parkinson's Disease from a Societal Perspective.

Previous reviews on the cost of illness (COI) of Parkinson's disease (PD) have often focused on health-care costs due to PD, underestimating its effects on other sectors. This systematic review determines the COI of PD from a societal perspective. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023428937). Embase, Medline, and EconLit were searched up to October 12, 2023, for studies determining the COI of PD from a societal perspective. From 2812 abstracts, 17 studies were included. The COI of PD averaged €20,911.37 per patient per year, increasing to almost €100,000 in the most severely affected patients. Health-care costs accounted for 46.1% of total costs, followed by productivity loss (37.4%) and costs to patient and family (16.4%). The COI of PD strongly varied between different geographical regions, with costs in North America 3.6 times higher compared to Asia. This study is the first to identify the relative importance of different cost items. Most important were reduced employment, government benefits, informal care, medication, nursing homes, and hospital admission. There was strong variety in the cost items that were included, with 55.2% of cost items measured in fewer than half of articles. Our review shows that PD-COI is high and appears in various cost sectors, with strong variety in the cost items included in different studies. Therefore, a guideline for the measurement of COI in PD should be developed to harmonize this. This article provides a first step toward the development of such a tool by identifying which cost items are most relevant. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for a Degenerative Meniscus Tear Is Not Cost Effective Compared With Placebo Surgery: An Economic Evaluation Based on the FIDELITY Trial Data.

In patients with a degenerative tear of the medial meniscus, recent meta-analyses and systematic reviews have shown no treatment benefit of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) over conservative treatment or placebo surgery. Yet, advocates of APM still argue that APM is cost effective. Giving advocates of APM their due, we note that there is evidence from the treatment of other musculoskeletal complaints to suggest that a treatment may prove cost effective even in the absence of improvements in efficacy outcomes, as it may lead to other benefits, such as diminished productivity loss and reduced costs, and so the question of cost effectiveness needs to be answered for APM. (1) Does APM result in lower postoperative costs compared with placebo surgery? (2) Is APM cost-effective compared with placebo surgery? One hundred forty-six adults aged 35 to 65 years with knee symptoms consistent with a degenerative medial meniscus tear and no knee osteoarthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology clinical criteria were randomized to APM (n = 70) or placebo surgery (n = 76). In the APM and placebo surgery groups, mean age was 52 ± 7 years and 52 ± 7 years, and 60% (42 of 70) and 62% (47 of 76) of participants were men, respectively. There were no between-group differences in baseline characteristics. In both groups, a standard diagnostic arthroscopy was first performed. Thereafter, in the APM group, the torn meniscus was trimmed to solid meniscus tissue, whereas in the placebo surgery group, APM was carefully mimicked but no resection of meniscal tissue was performed; as such, surgical costs were the same in both arms and were not included in the analyses. All patients received identical postoperative care including a graduated home-based exercise program. At the 2-year follow-up, two patients were lost to follow-up, both in the placebo surgery group. Cost effectiveness over the 2-year trial period was computed as incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) for improvements in quality-adjusted life years (QALY), using both the societal (primary) and healthcare system (secondary) perspectives. To be able to consider APM cost effective, the CEA analysis should yield a positive INMB value. Nonparametric bootstrapping was used to assess uncertainty. Several one-way sensitivity analyses were also performed. APM did not deliver lower postoperative costs, nor did it convincingly improve quality of life scores when compared with placebo surgery. From a societal perspective, APM was associated with € 971 (95% CI -2013 to 4017) higher costs and 0.015 (95% CI -0.011 to 0.041) improved QALYs over 2-year follow-up compared with placebo surgery. Both differences were statistically inconclusive (a wide 95% CI that crossed the line of no difference). Using the conventional willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of € 35,000 per QALY, APM resulted in a negative INMB of € -460 (95% CI -3757 to 2698). In our analysis, APM would result in a positive INMB only when the WTP threshold rises to about € 65,000 per QALY. The wide 95% CIs suggests uncertain cost effectiveness irrespective of chosen WTP threshold. The results of this study lend further support to clinical practice guidelines recommending against the use of APM in patients with a degenerative meniscus tear. Given the robustness of existing evidence demonstrating no benefit or cost effectiveness of APM over nonsurgical treatment or placebo surgery, future research is unlikely to alter this conclusion.Level of Evidence Level III, economic analysis.

Cost-effectiveness of a primary care-based Healthy Weight Clinic compared with usual care.

The objective of this study was to project the cost-effectiveness of implementing the Healthy Weight Clinic (HWC), a primary care-based intervention for 6- to 12-year-old children with overweight or obesity, at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) nationally. We estimated intervention costs from a health care sector and societal perspective and used BMI change estimates from the HWC trial. Our microsimulation of national HWC implementation among all FQHCs from 2023 to 2032 estimated cost per child and per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and projected impact on obesity prevalence by race and ethnicity. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed uncertainty around estimates. National implementation is projected to reach 888,000 children over 10 years, with a mean intervention cost of $456 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: $409-$506) per child to the health care sector and $211 (95% UI: $175-$251) to families (e.g., time participating). Assuming effect maintenance, national implementation could result in 2070 (95% UI: 859-3220) QALYs gained and save $14.6 million (95% UI: $5.6-$23.5 million) in health care costs over 10 years, yielding a net cost of $278,000 (95% CI: $177,000-$679,000) per QALY gained. We project greater reductions in obesity prevalence among Hispanic/Latino and Black versus White populations. The HWC is relatively low-cost per child and projected to reduce obesity disparities if implemented nationally in FQHCs.

Economic Evaluation of Cervical Cancer Screening by HPV DNA, VIA, and Pap smear Methods in Indonesia.

Cervical cancer occurs 80% in developing country including Indonesia and take place in the first rank of incidence rate and third rank in mortality rate in Asian Pacific. Natural history of cervical cancer gives a potential to get accurate screening method. Cervical cancer screening m in Indonesia use VIA and Pap smear method for women in age range 30 to 50 years old. Recently, HPV DNA test has been recommended in international and national policy as primary screening method for cervical cancer. This research aims to asses cost-effectiveness and economic implications of specific cervical cancer screening modalities. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from societal perspective. Cost data was collected from four hospitals in Indonesia. Direct medical costs were derived from discussions with an expert panel and hospital billing data, aligning with current practice guidelines. Direct and indirect non-medical costs were estimated from patient interviews. Effectiveness data for the screening methods were extracted from a systematic review of existing literature. Markov model design was used for cost-effectiveness analysis. Budget impact analysis used healthcare perspective method from its billing for cervical cancer patients. Cervical cancer screening costs are calculated using direct medical, non-medical, and indirect expenses. Regarding to cost-effective analysis by incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER), pap smear for every 3 and 5 years is more cost-effective than VIA. HPV DNA also has the potential to be cost-effective. The budget impact analysis investigates scenarios, with a focus on negotiation-based cost reductions for HPV DNA testing. Controlling HPV DNA tariffs at USD 8.76 proves cost-effective. In conclusion, pap smear is the most cost-effective modality, while HPV DNA has the potential to be cost-effective by reducing the unit cost. Despite favorable outcomes, challenges in implementation suggest a phased approach for resource equalization before full deployment.

COST OF ILLNESS ANALYSIS OF EPILEPSY OUTPATIENTS USING VALPROIC ACID, PHENYTOIN AND CARBAMAZEPINE THERAPY IN HOSPITAL IN INDONESIA

Epilepsy is a condition of the onset of attacks in the form of abnormal, irregular brain nerve cell movements, occurring repeatedly and causing temporary motor, sensory or mental function disorders. The treatment of epilepsy has costs that must be known, including direct medical costs, indirect medical costs, and indirect costs; this study aims to determine the cost of illness of epilepsy in one hospital in banyuasin regency with retrospective costing in outpatients. The research method used in this study is a cross-sectional study using patient medical record data and cost data taken from BPJS claims data and hospital rate patterns. This study uses the BPJS perspective and societal perspective, the cost data taken from the BPJS perspective is the result of BPJS claims according to the INACBGs. Package tariff and for the socital perspective the data taken is doctor consultation data, administrative costs, laboratory costs, drug costs and transportation costs and lost productivity costs carried out by interview method for 12 months. The results of this study indicate that the cost of epilepsy outpatients from a societal perspective is Rp.3,141,414 and for BPJS perspective is Rp.2,338,567.