Terms Of QALYs Research Articles

1653. Cost effectiveness of Levofloxacin Vs Amoxicillin/Clavulanate And Ciprofloxacin In The Outpatient Management Of Low-Risk Febrile Neutropaenia In Children With Cancer: A Randomised Control Study.

Abstract Background outpatient management of low-risk fever and neutropenia should be implemented if close monitoring is accessible and patient compliance is feasible.In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of single-agent Levofloxacin versus the Augmentin /ciprofloxacin regimen used in our institute. Methods This is a randomized prospective interventional 2 arm study of low-risk febrile neutropenia patients presenting to the emergency department at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University starting from December 2021 to July 2022. Eligible patients were children< 18 years with Low-risk febrile neutropenia without an aetiological diagnosis.Patients were randomized to double-agent ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in comparison to single-agent levofloxacin. Follow up of the outpatient cases on; Day 1, Day 3, and Day 7 for Resolution of infection and stopping of antibiotics regardless of neutropenia. Drug-related side effects encountered in both arms of the study were reported. A decision analytic model was created to compare the two different treatment strategies Outcome measures were quality-adjusted FN episodes, costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). The clinical parameters of the model were derived mainly from data collected at National Cancer Institute. Health effects were expressed in terms of QALY gain.One-way sensitivity analysis (DSA) was conducted. Results 200 patients (100 in each group) were enrolled. 100% of patients achieved marrow recovery in both arms by D7. Fever subsided in 100% on the Levofloxacin arm compared to 60% in the other group. only 1 patient on the double agent arm was upgraded to HR.Levofloxacin was tolerable in all patients with no significant side effects, while patients in the double agent arm; 4 had diarrhea, 2 nausea, and 2 complained of a bad drug taste. Levofloxacin is the dominant strategy versus Augmentin/ciprofloxacin with incremental QALY 0.0001and lower cost 62.4996 L.E in the treatment of home-based care of febrile neutropenia with a willingness to pay threshold of 77,520 LE per QALY (1 GDP/CAPITA) Figure 1 Conclusion Levofloxacin is cost effective and can be administered safely in children with low-risk FN, however close follow-up for long-term side effects and emerging bacterial resistance is warranted. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Robot-Assisted Surgery vs Robotic Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer: A Cost-Utility Analysis.

Prostate cancer is the most common men cancer in France. Continuous progress in oncology led to develop robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomies (rRP) and robot-assisted stereotactic body radiotherapy (rSBRT). The present study aims at comparing economic and clinical impacts of prostate cancer treatments performed either with rSBRT or rRP in France. A Markov model using TreeAge Pro software was chosen to calculate annual costs; utilities and transition probabilities of localized prostate cancer treatments. Patients were eligible for radiotherapy or surgery and the therapeutic decision was a robot-assisted intervention. Over a 10-year period, rSBRT yielded a significantly higher number of quality-adjusted life years than rRP (8.37 vs 6.85). In France, rSBRT seemed more expensive than rRP (€19,475 vs €18,968, respectively). From a societal perspective, rRP was more cost-saving (incremental cost effectiveness ratio = €332/QALY). The model was sensitive to variations of costs of the initial and recurrence state in one-way sensitivity analyses. Robot-assisted stereotactic body radiotherapy seems more cost-effective than Radical Prostatectomy in terms of QALY despite the slightly higher initial cost due to the use of radiotherapy. It would be interesting to conduct comparative quality of life studies in France over longer periods of time.

Costs and cost-effectiveness of the meeting centres support programme for people living with dementia and carers in Italy, Poland and the UK: The MEETINGDEM study.

We examined the costs and cost-effectiveness of the Meeting Centre Support Programme (MCSP) implemented and piloted in the UK, Poland and Italy, replicating the Dutch Meeting Centre model. Dutch Meeting Centres combine day services for people with dementia with carer support. Data were collected over 2015-2016 from MCSP and usual care (UC) participants (people with dementia-carer dyads) at baseline and 6months. We examined participants' health and social care (HSC), and societal costs, including Meeting Centre (MC) attendances. Costs and outcomes in MCSP and UC groups were compared. Primary outcomes: Persons with dementia: quality-adjusted life years (EQ-5D-5L-derived); QOL-AD. DQoL was examined as a secondary outcome. Carers: Short Sense of Competence Questionnaire (SSCQ). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were obtained by bootstrapping outcome and cost regression estimates. Eighty-three MCSP and 69 UC dyads were analysed. The 6-month cost of providing MCSP was €4,703; participants with dementia attended MC a mean of 45 times and carers 15 times. Including intervention costs, adjusted 6-month HSC costs were €5,941higher in MCSP than in UC. From the HSC perspective: in terms of QALY, the probability of cost-effectiveness was zero over willingness-to-pay (WTP) ranging from €0 to €350,000. On QOL-AD, the probability of cost-effectiveness of MCSP was 50% at WTP of €5,000 for a one-point increase. A one-point gain in the DQoL positive affect subscale had a probability of cost-effectiveness of 99% at WTP over €8,000. On SSCQ, no significant difference was found between MCSP and UC. Evidence for cost-effectiveness of MCSP was mixed but suggests that it may be cost-effective in relation to gains in dementia-specific quality of life measures. MCs offer effective tailored post-diagnostic support services to both people with dementia and carers in a context where few evidence-based alternatives to formal home-based social services may be available.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of tofacitinib compared with adalimumab and etanercept in the treatment of severe active rheumatoid arthritis; Iranian experience

ABSTRACT Background and objective This study aimed to evaluate the cost-utility of Tofacitinib (TFC) in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had not responded well to methotrexate from the Iranian payer’s perspective. Methods An individual microsimulation Markov model was developed to compare TFC with etanercept (ETN) and Adalimumab (ADA) over a life-time horizon. Treatment efficacy was estimated based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response improvement criteria in 6 months. Changes in the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores were mapped onto utility values to calculate outcomes in terms of QALYs. Direct medical costs were taken from national databases. Uncertainty in model parameters was evaluated by sensitivity analyses. Results This study demonstrated that TFC was cost-effective in both scenarios. Although TFC was associated with lower QALYs than ETN (6.664 versus 6.876), it was also associated with lower costs over a life-time horizon ($42,565.04 versus $58,696.29). Additionally, TFC was found to be the dominant strategy with a lower cost ($50,299.91 versus $51,550.29) and higher QALYs gained (6.900 versus 6.687) compared to ADA. Conclusion TFC was found to be cost-effective in patients with severe RA who do not respond well to methotrexate compared to ADA, ETN in Iran.

Economic evaluation of End Stage Renal Disease treatments in Iran

BackgroundEnd-stage Renal Disease is considered a health problem due to the high prevalence and economic burden on society and the health system. This study utilizes a cost-utility analysis to evaluate the costs and outcomes of the Iranian End Stage Renal Disease patients. MethodsA Markov model-based economic evaluation with a societal perspective, and a lifetime horizon performed to quantify the costs and health-related outcomes in terms of QALY. Direct medical costs obtained from hospital billing and medical records and direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs derived from interviews with patients. Three policy options, the hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation were compared. Most of the Transplants from deceased and rest were from Live Related Donors. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to study uncertainty. ResultsAnnual average cost of hemodialysis is $13477 cost of peritoneal dialysis is $12865, and cost of Transplantation is $16450.The Transplantation arm gained 9.43 QALY compared with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis with 6.95 and 6.04 QALY respectively. When Transplantation was compared with peritoneal dialysis, Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio was $1744 per QALY. ICER value suggests that Transplantation is cost-effective compared with peritoneal dialysis at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $12,400, and hemodialysis was dominated. ConclusionThis study suggests that kidney transplantation is a better option over hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. We conclude that serious efforts ought to be made to foster potential brain-dead donors and altruistic kidney donation and promote peritoneal dialysis as a superior alternative to hemodialysis for eligible patients.

Cost-effectiveness of a proactive, integrated primary care approach for community-dwelling frail older persons

BackgroundThe article reports on the cost-effectiveness of the proactive, integrated primary care program Finding and Follow-up of Frail older persons (FFF) compared with usual primary care for community-dwelling frail older persons in the Netherlands.MethodsThis study had a matched quasi-experimental design (pretest and posttest). The economic evaluation was performed from a healthcare perspective with a time horizon of 12 months. The target population consisted of community-dwelling frail older persons aged ≥ 75 years in the FFF intervention group (11 general practitioner (GP) practices) and in the control group receiving usual care (4 GP practices). The effectiveness measures for the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses were subjective well-being (Social Production Function Instrument for the Level of well-being short; SPF-ILs) and QALYs (EuroQol; EQ-5D-3L), respectively. Costs were assessed using resource use questionnaires. Differences in mean effectiveness between groups were assessed using univariate, multilevel and propensity score matched analyses, with and without imputation of missing values. Differences in costs were assessed using Mann–Whitney U-tests and independent samples t-tests. Bootstrapping was performed, and predicted incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and incremental cost-utility ratios (ICURs) were depicted on cost-effectiveness planes.ResultsThe various analyses showed slightly different results with respect to differences in estimated costs and effects. Multilevel analyses showed a small but significant difference between the groups for well-being, in favor of the control group. No significant differences between groups in terms of QALYs were found. Imputed data showed that mean total costs were significantly higher in the intervention group at follow-up.ConclusionProactive, integrated care for community-dwelling frail older persons as provided in the FFF program is most likely not a cost-effective initiative, compared with usual primary care in the Netherlands, in terms of well-being and QALYs over a 12-month period.

PMS38 - COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF SECUKINUMAB VERSUS USTEKINUMAB FOR THE TREATMENT OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS IN THE UNITED STATES

To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of secukinumab versus ustekinumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from a third party payer’s perspective in the United States (US). A Markov model with 10 year time horizon with six months cycle duration was developed. Model assumptions included: cohort mean age of 47.3 years (data extracted from recent systematic review). Relative risks of mortality for individuals with PsA (male: 1.65; female: 1.59) as well as background mortality by age and gender were obtained from published studies and US vital statistics report. Costs included were: medications (wholesale acquisition cost), adverse events (i.e.- malignancy and infections; based on Medical Expenditure Panel Survey) and laboratory test and imaging (based on Medicare Fee Schedule). Medication costs were calculated to include loading and maintenance doses. The reported clinical trial changes in Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQDI) scores from baseline to six months were used to calculate utilities based on a linear regression equation from literature (EQ-5D = 0.809 -0.267*HAQDIchange). All costs were expressed in terms of 2018 US dollars and an annual 3% discount rate was used. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the robustness of the results. In the base case scenario, secukinumab treated patients had 7.1785 QALYs and a cost of $491,329. For ustekinumab, the QALYs was 7.1778 QALY and cost of $453,821. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of using secukinumab was $53 million per QALY gained, due to the very small difference in QALYs (0.0007). The model was sensitive to utility assumptions as well as patient cohort demographics (age and gender) but not sensitive to medication prices. Secukinumab and ustekinumab are nearly equivalent in terms of QALYs but the difference in cost results in a very high ICER value for secukinumab as compared to ustekinumab.

Cost - effectiveness and Cost - utility of CinnoVex versus ReciGen in Patients with Relapsing - Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Iran

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and inflammatory disease that can affect the patients’ quality of life and impose many costs on them. Several types of medicine are used to change the course of the disease, treat disease - related attacks, and treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the cost-effectiveness and cost - utility of CinnoVex versus ReciGen as the first line treatment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Iran, Fars province, in 2016. Methods: This study was a cost - effectiveness and cost - utility study, in which a Markov model was used. A sample of 178 patients with MS was randomly selected. The costs were summed up from the societal perspective, and the study outcomes were QALY and the mean of relapse was avoided. To collect the required data, the cost data collection form, Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale, and EQ - 5D questionnaire were used. To analyze the data collected, the TreeAge Pro 2011 and Excel 2010 software were used as well. Results: The results showed that the mean cost for ReciGen and CinnoVex patients were 349.84 and 289.92 USD, respectively. In addition, the QALY means were 0.291 and 0.297 and the means of relapse avoided were 0.309 and 0.239 for ReciGen and CinnoVex patients, respectively. The one - way sensitivity analysis showed that the results of the model were sensitive to effectiveness and utility of both medicines, but had little sensitivity to other parameters. Conclusions: According to the results, ReciGen was more cost - effective in terms of relapse avoided and CinnoVex was more cost - effective in terms of QALY. Therefore, ReciGen and CinnoVex can be the preferred options for physicians and for health policymakers and managers, respectively.

Cost-Effectiveness of Autologous Stem Cell Treatment as Compared to Conventional Chemotherapy for Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in India.

Recent innovations in treatment of multiple myeloma include autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) along with high dose chemotherapy (HDC). We undertook this study to estimate incremental cost per quality adjusted life year gained (QALY) with use of ASCT along with HDC as compared to conventional chemotherapy (CC) alone in treatment of multiple myeloma. A combination of decision tree and markov model was used to undertake the analysis. Incremental costs and effects of ASCT were compared against the baseline scenario of CC (based on Melphalan and Prednisolone regimen) in the patients of multiple myeloma. A lifetime study horizon was used and future costs and consequences were discounted at 5%. Consequences were valued in terms of QALYs. Incremental cost per QALY gained using ASCT as against CC for treatment of multiple myeloma was estimated using both a health system and societal perspective. The cost of providing ASCT (with HDC) for multiple myeloma patients was INR 500,631, while the cost of CC alone was INR 159,775. In the long run, cost per patient per year for ASCT and CC arms was estimated to be INR 119,740 and INR 111,565 respectively. The number of QALYs lived per patient in case of ASCT and HDC alone were found to be 4.1 and 3.5years respectively. From a societal perspective, ASCT was found to incur an incremental cost of INR 334,433 per QALY gained. If the ASCT is initiated early to patients, the incremental cost for ASCT was found to be INR 180,434 per QALY gained. With current mix of patients, stem cell treatment for multiple myeloma is not cost effective at a threshold of GDP per capita. It becomes marginally cost-effective at 3-times the GDP per capita threshold. However, accounting for the model uncertainties, the probability of ASCT to be cost effective is 59%. Cost effectiveness of ASCT can be improved with early detection and initiation of treatment.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of ocriplasmin in the treatment of vitreomacular traction in Italy

BACKGROUND: Vitreomacular traction (VMT) caused by vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), is a pathological condition when the vitreous humor has an abnormally strong attachment to the central part of the retina. Ocriplasmin recently approved for the treatment of VMT, including when associated with macular hole (MH) of diameter less than or equal to 400 microns, is a recombinant truncated form of the human serine protease plasmin with retained enzymatic activity, administered by intravitreal injection. We estimated long-term benefits and costs associated with the resolution of traction, following treatment with ocriplasmin versus Standard of Care (SoC), from National Health Service (NHS) perspective.METHODS: A lifetime Markov model has been adopted for Italy in order to estimate costs and outcomes, gained for patients with VMT, with and without MH, treated with ocriplasmin. Health effects have been expressed as Life Years (LY) and Quality adjusted LY gained (QALY), and estimated based on time spent in Visual Acuity (VA) states, defined by best and worst seeing eye, disutility impact associated with surgical interventions, adverse events and metamorphopsia. Deterministicand probabilistic analysis have also been conducted.RESULTS: Over a lifetime ocriplasmin versus SoC generated incremental benefits in terms of QALYs and overall treatment costs in each patients subgroups. Patients with VMT and VMT+MH treated with ocriplasmin had an incremental survival benefits of 0.1123 and 0.0772 QALYs respectively. Therefore, it is expected to come at an incremental cost of 1,873 € and 2,185 € for VMT and VMT+MH patients respectively. The associated ICER is 16,683 € and 28,294 € per QALY gained. Both sensitivity analyses for each of the subgroups confirmed the robustness of the model results.CONCLUSION: Compared to SoC, ocriplasmin is a cost effective therapy option in the treatment of VMT, including whenassociated with MH.[Article in Italian]

Cost-Effectiveness of Dabigatran Exilate in Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation.

Dabigatran exilate has emerged as a highly effective tool in treating atrial fibrillation, AF). Its relative convenience in terms of cost and overall utility with respect to other anti-coagulants, however, has not been explored in much detail yet. We run a Markovian disease simulation model based on a cohort of 1000 randomly generated patients which were sub-grouped by average risk of hemorrhage and average risk of stroke to compare treatments with Aspirin, Warfarin and Dabigatran. Quality-adjusted life-year, QALYs) for the patients were projected over up to 30 years with mortality statistics database and properly adjusted after every 5-year survival from the starting date. If managed within the prescribed range, Warfarin offers the highest outcome in terms of QALYs: 7.93 versus 7.61 for the Aspirin treatment and 7.57 for highest dose treatment with Dabigatran. Dabigatran outperformed the other treatments in patients at high risk of major stroke, provided Warfarin was not managed optimally. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for Dabigatran versus sub-optimally managed Warfarin was €7,759.48/QALY meaning that every year in perfect health earned with Dabigatran cost less than €8,000 more than the alternative treatment with Warfarin. The therapy with high-dose Dabigatran proved the most clinically safe solution for patients at high risk of stroke unless Warfarin therapy was excellent.

Functional outcome and cost-effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of acute scaphoid fractures: a cost-utility analysis.

BackgroundPhysical forces have been widely used to stimulate bone growth in fracture repair. Addition of bone growth stimulation to the conservative treatment regime is more costly than standard health care. However, it might lead to cost-savings due to a reduction of the total amount of working days lost. This economic evaluation was performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) compared to standard health care in the treatment of acute scaphoid fractures.MethodsAn economic evaluation was carried out from a societal perspective, alongside a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial involving five centres in the Netherlands. One hundred and two patients with a clinically and radiographically proven fracture of the scaphoid were included in the study and randomly allocated to either active bone growth stimulation or standard health care, using a placebo. All costs (medical costs and costs due to productivity loss) were measured during one year follow up. Functional outcome and general health related quality of life were assessed by the EuroQol-5D and PRWHE (patient rated wrist and hand evaluation) questionnaires. Utility scores were derived from the EuroQol-5D.ResultsThe average total number of working days lost was lower in the active PEMF group (9.82 days) compared to the placebo group (12.91 days) (p = 0.651). Total medical costs of the intervention group (€1594) were significantly higher compared to the standard health care (€875). The total amount of mean QALY’s (quality-adjusted life year) for the active PEMF group was 0.84 and 0.85 for the control group. The cost-effectiveness plane shows that the majority of all cost-effectiveness ratios fall into the quadrant where PEMF is not only less effective in terms of QALY’s but also more costly.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the desired effects in terms of cost-effectiveness are not met. When comparing the effects of PEMF to standard health care in terms of QALY’s, PEMF cannot be considered a cost-effective treatment for acute fractures of the scaphoid bone.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2064

PCV77 - Cost Effectiveness Of Apixaban, Dabigatran Rivaroxaban And Warfarin For Atrial Fibrillation In Guatemala

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) affects 1–2% of the population, and this figure is likely to increase in the next 50 years. AF is associated with increased rates of death, stroke and other thromboembolic events, heart failure and hospitalizations, degraded quality of life and reduced exercise capacity. It is suggested that patients with AF should be stratified for the risk of stroke and bleedings and that most should receive antithrombotic therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness (CE) of Apixaban against other anticoagulation therapies for prevention on non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), from the private health care perspective. A simulated cohort of 1000 patients with NVAF entered a decision-tree model to compare costs and effectiveness of Warfarin (5 mg/24 hours), Apixaban (5 mg/12 hours), Dabigatran (110 mg/12 hours and 150 mg/12 hours), and Rivaroxaban (20 mg/24 hours). Effectiveness measures were: stroke, bleeding, myocardial infarction (MI) rates and deaths. Local costs were gathered from Guatemala’s official databases (US$, 2013) and only direct medical costs were considered. The model used a lifetime horizon with a 5% discount. Apixaban was the only treatment that consistently prevented all four considered diseases: 3 MIs, 4 strokes, 85 bleedings and 1 SE avoided when compared to Warfarin. Overall costs were US$33708.34 for warfarin, US$24538.68 for Apixaban, US$24757.57 for Dabigatran 110 mg, US$24198.23 for Dabigatran 150 mg, and US$24252.46 for Rivaroxaban. In terms of QALY’s, Apixaban earned the highest amount with 5.740, followed by Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran 150 mg, Dabigatran 110 mg and Warfarin. In the CE incremental analysis, Apixaban was a cost-effective option. Apixaban obtained the highest probability of being cost-effective (45%) with a 3 GPB per capita in Guatemala. Apixaban is a Cost-Effective option for the Guatemala’s Private Health System.

EPA-0087 - Cost - consequence analysis of major depressive disorder treatment - could heterocyclic antidepressants offer optimal value for money in a middle income setting?

There is paucity of published literature on antidepressants in a cost-consequence study design. Measuring clinical outcomes of pharmacotherapy. Costs and consequences determination in depressive episode acute medical care. Cost-consequence analysis;Setting-Serbian tertiary university clinic(2010-2012). Patient visits to attending psychiatrists:baseline, 3,8 weeks. HDRS-17 and Q-LES-Q-SF scale were applied in each of control visits. Resource use patterns and costs were evidenced for up to 14 weeks from study entry. Micro-costing approach allowed for most direct and indirect costs measurement. Costs were expressed in national currency-Central Serbian Dinar(1€≈115.85CSD;2012). Societal perspective and 14 weeks time horizon were adopted. Random selection of 65 depressive patients was based on clinical criteria and their assignment to either one of three different treatment protocols.5 patients were lost to follow up. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of therapeutic response by the HDRS scores before and after introducing treatment groups(χ2=4.339; ?=0.362). QALY value increased by 11.77(SSRI group);8.93(SNRI)and 12.54 (heterocyclics). Mean cost per QALY was 9,937.51 CSD for SSRI; 7,138.27 CSD in SNRI; and 6,164.96 CSD for heterocyclics. There were 28.69 depression with free days in SSRI, 21.78 days in SNRI, and 30.59 days in heterocyclic group. Cost-effectiveness assessment was was 346.38 CSD per day(SSRI); 327.74 CSD(SNRI), and 201.54 CSD(heterocyclics). Heterocyclic antidepressants provide highest'value for money' in terms of QALY in depressive episode treatment and its treatment is most cost effective. Cost-consequence evaluations have heavier impact to clinical decision making with regards to major depressive disorder treatment in the absence of clear clinical superiority of any major pharmacological protocol.

Cost-Effectiveness of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty, High Tibial Osteotomy, and KineSpring® Knee Implant System for Unicompartmental Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a condition that causes pain and disability. Numerous non-surgical and surgical interventions are available for individuals with OA that result in good pain relief and return of function. The purpose of this economic analysis was to determine the cost-effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and the KineSpring® Knee Implant System in the treatment of unicompartmental OA of the knee 10 years post-surgery, considering the costs of revisions, conversions, removals, and complications. Estimates of costs and rates of revision, conversion, removal, and complications related to UKA and HTO were obtained from the literature. Internal reports on the KineSpring System were used for calculations on the KineSpring System. The cost-effectiveness of UKA, HTO and the KineSpring System in terms of QALY gained compared to patients without treatment yielded gains of approximately $5150/QALY, $6754/QALY, and $7010/QALY, respectively. Using the accepted standard willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 US/QALY gained, the UKA, HTO, and the KineSpring System are economically favorable. Our analysis demonstrates that the KineSpring System, despite a greater initial cost in surgery, has significantly smaller conversion and complication costs compared to UKA and HTO. The 10 years overall expected cost for the KineSpring System ($12,559) is significantly less compared with that of UKA ($17,570) and HTO ($22,825). Future economic analyses regarding this topic should also consider the cost-effectiveness of these procedures on younger, more active individuals who are still working and should take into account productivity loss.

Cost‐effectiveness of atazanavir+ritonavir (ATV+RTV) vs. lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in women of childbearing age in the United Kingdom

Purpose of the studyIn the UK, an increasing proportion of individuals with HIV are women of childbearing age (WOCBA). Literature on the potential effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on certain risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), such as total cholesterol (TC), has not differentiated the reported ART‐associated risk by other risk factors for CHD (e.g. age and gender). Given the different age‐specific CHD risk estimates for men and women, particularly the low risk of CHD in WOCBA, the cost‐effectiveness of LPV/r vs ATV+RTV specifically among WOCBA warrants examination. Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform a cost‐effectiveness and budget impact analysis of two first‐line protease inhibitor‐based regimens, LPV/r versus ATV+RTV, among HIV‐infected, ARV‐naïve WOCBA in the UK.MethodsA modified version of a previously published Markov model was utilized [1]. CHD risk estimates were based on the Framingham risk score. Baseline assumptions were that 33% of women were smokers with a mean age of 25 years. Guidelines regarding therapeutic drug monitoring among pregnant women in the 3rd trimester who receive ATV+RTV were incorporated [2]. Age‐specific pregnancy rates were estimated in order to determine ARV utilization during gestation. The model employed a lifetime horizon under a NHS perspective and a discount rate of 3.5%. Costs were presented in 2011 GBP.Summary of resultsThe model predicted no appreciable difference in quality‐adjusted survival (in terms of QALYs) between the two regimens over a lifetime (0.2 days in favor of ATV+RTV) and an increased cost of £3,003 per patient on the ATV+RTV regimen. Cost savings of £1,977 over 5 years and £2,916 over 10 years were predicted for patients who initiated LPV/r. Furthermore, for every 100 patients started on LPV/r, the savings accrued after one year allow for the treatment of 6 additional patients. After 10 years, the number of additional patients that can be treated accumulated to 42. The model predicted a mean of 1.4 pregnancies per woman, and an overall difference between the regimens of 0.3% in CHD events after 10 years.ConclusionsInitiating HIV infected, ARV‐naïve WOCBA on a LPV/r‐based regimen compared to an ATV+RTV‐based regimen produces substantial short‐ and long‐term cost savings with similar life expectancy. These results warrant consideration, as selecting LPV/r over ATV+RTV may provide an opportunity for improving access to ART for WOCBA living with HIV in the UK.

Cost Effectiveness of Quetiapine in Patients with Acute Bipolar Depression and in Maintenance Treatment after an Acute Depressive Episode

Bipolar disorder has a significant impact upon a patient's quality of life, imposing a considerable economic burden on the individual, family members and society as a whole. Several medications are indicated for the acute treatment of mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder as well as for maintenance therapy; however, these have varying efficacy, tolerability and costs. The objective of this study was to develop a new discrete-event simulation model to analyse the long-term consequences of pharmacological therapy for the management of bipolar I and II disorders (acute treatment of episodes of mania and depression as well as maintenance therapy). Probabilities of remission and relapse were obtained from clinical trial data and meta-analyses. Costs (year 2011 values) were assessed from a UK healthcare payer's perspective, and included pharmacological therapy and resource use associated with the treatment of mood events and selected adverse events. The health effects were measured in terms of QALYs. For a patient starting with acute depression or in remission at 40 years of age (which was the average age in the clinical trials), quetiapine 300 mg/day was a cost-effective strategy compared with olanzapine 15 mg/day over a 5-year time frame. With acute bipolar depression as a starting episode, the 5-year medical costs were £323 higher and QALYs were 0.038 higher for quetiapine compared with olanzapine, corresponding to a cost-effectiveness ratio of £8600 per QALY gained. Compared with olanzapine, the results suggest that quetiapine is cost effective as a maintenance treatment for bipolar depression.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Early versus Non-Early Intervention in Acute Migraine Based on Evidence from the ‘Act when Mild’ Study

In spite of the important progress made in the abortive treatment of acute migraine episodes since the introduction of triptans, reduction of pain and associated symptoms is in many cases still not as effective nor as fast as would be desirable. Recent research pays more attention to the timing of the treatment, and taking triptans early in the course of an attack when pain is still mild has been found more efficacious than the usual strategy of waiting for the attack to develop to a higher pain intensity level. To investigate the cost effectiveness of early versus non-early intervention with almotriptan in acute migraine. An economic evaluation was conducted from the perspectives of French society and the French public health system based on patient-level data collected in the AwM (Act when Mild) study, a placebo-controlled trial that compared the response to early and non-early treatment of acute migraine with almotriptan. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were determined in terms of QALYs, migraine hours and productive time lost. Costs were expressed in Euros (year 2010 values). Bootstrapping was used to derive cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Early treatment has shown to lead to shorter attack duration, less productive time lost, better quality of life, and is, with 92% probability, overall cost saving from a societal point of view. In terms of drug costs only, however, non-early treatment is less expensive. From the public health system perspective, the (bootstrap) mean ICER of early treatment amounts to €0.38 per migraine hour avoided, €1.29 per hour of productive time lost avoided, and €14,296 per QALY gained. Considering willingness-to-pay values of approximately €1 to avoid an hour of migraine, €10 to avoid the loss of a productive hour, or €30,000 to gain one QALY, the approximate probability that early treatment is cost effective is 90%, 90% and 70%, respectively. These results remain robust in different scenarios for the major elements of the economic evaluation. Compared with non-early treatment, a strategy of early treatment of acute migraine with almotriptan when pain is still mild is, with high probability, cost saving from the French societal perspective and can be considered cost effective from the public health system point of view.

The cost effectiveness of NHS physiotherapy support for occupational health (OH) services

BackgroundMusculoskeletal pain is detrimental to quality of life (QOL) and disruptive to activities of daily living. It also places a major economic burden on healthcare systems and wider society. In 2006, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) established a three tiered self-referral Occupational Health Physiotherapy Pilot Project (OHPPP) comprising: 1.) telephone advice and triage, 2.) face-to-face physiotherapy assessment and treatment if required, and 3.) workplace assessment and a return-to-work facilitation package as appropriate. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the pilot service.MethodsA pragmatic cohort study was undertaken, with all OHPPP service users between September 2008 and February 2009 being invited to participate. Participants were assessed on clinical status, yellow flags, sickness absence and work performance at baseline, after treatment and at 3 month follow up. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated from both top-down and bottom-up perspectives and cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (cost/QALY) was calculated. The cost-effectiveness analysis assessed the increase in service cost that would be necessary before the cost-effectiveness of the service was compromised.ResultsA total of 515 patients completed questionnaires at baseline. Of these, 486 were referred for face to face assessment with a physiotherapist and were included in the analysis for the current study. 264 (54.3%) and 199 (40.9%) were retained at end of treatment and 3 month follow up respectively. An improvement was observed at follow up in all the clinical outcomes assessed, as well as a reduction in healthcare resource usage and sickness absence, and improvement in self-reported work performance. Multivariate regression indicated that baseline and current physical health were associated with work-related outcomes at follow up. The costs of the service were £194-£360 per service user depending on the method used, and the health gains contributed to a cost/QALY of £1386-£7760, which would represent value for money according to current UK thresholds. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the service would remain cost effective until the service costs were increased to 160% per user.ConclusionsThis pragmatic evaluation of the OHPPP indicated that it was likely to be feasible in terms of service usage and could potentially be cost effective in terms of QALYs. Further, the study confirmed that improving physical health status for musculoskeletal pain patients is important in reducing problems with work capacity and related costs. This study suggests that this type of service could be potentially be useful in reducing the burden of pain and should be further investigated, ideally via randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

The cost effectiveness of NHS physiotherapy support for Occupational Health (OH) services

Musculoskeletal pain is detrimental to quality of life (QOL) and disruptive to activities of daily living. It also places a major economic burden on healthcare systems and wider society. In 2006, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) established a three tiered self-referral Occupational Health Physiotherapy Pilot Project (OHPPP) comprising: 1.) telephone advice and triage, 2.) face-to-face physiotherapy assessment and treatment if required, and 3.) workplace assessment and a return-to-work facilitation package as appropriate. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the pilot service. A pragmatic cohort study was undertaken, with all OHPPP service users between September 2008 and February 2009 being invited to participate. Participants were assessed on clinical status, yellow flags, sickness absence and work performance at baseline, after treatment and at 3 month follow up. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated from both top-down and bottom-up perspectives and cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (cost/QALY) was calculated. The cost-effectiveness analysis assessed the increase in service cost that would be necessary before the cost-effectiveness of the service was compromised. A total of 515 patients completed questionnaires at baseline. Of these, 486 were referred for face to face assessment with a physiotherapist and were included in the analysis for the current study. 264 (54.3%) and 199 (40.9%) were retained at end of treatment and 3 month follow up respectively. An improvement was observed at follow up in all the clinical outcomes assessed, as well as a reduction in healthcare resource usage and sickness absence, and improvement in self-reported work performance. Multivariate regression indicated that baseline and current physical health were associated with work-related outcomes at follow up. The costs of the service were £194-£360 per service user depending on the method used, and the health gains contributed to a cost/QALY of £1386-£7760, which would represent value for money according to current UK thresholds. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the service would remain cost effective until the service costs were increased to 160% per user. This pragmatic evaluation of the OHPPP indicated that it was likely to be feasible in terms of service usage and could potentially be cost effective in terms of QALYs. Further, the study confirmed that improving physical health status for musculoskeletal pain patients is important in reducing problems with work capacity and related costs. This study suggests that this type of service could be potentially be useful in reducing the burden of pain and should be further investigated, ideally via randomised controlled trials assessing effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.