Study of the Direct Costs of Asthma at a Healthcare Service Provider in Bogotá, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe clinical characteristics and direct medical costs associated with disease treatment in Colombia patients with asthma from 1 healthcare provider. METHODS: This was a descriptive study with a retrospective data collection from a healthcare provider's electronic medical records in Colombia. A clinical, demographic, and healthcare resource utilization profile was developed over a 12-month observation period after the identification of eligible patients. To determine the mean cost per patient per year, the total frequencies of resource utilization were added, and the result was multiplied by the unit cost of each of them. RESULTS: A total of 7919 patients were included in the analysis. The mean ± SD cost per patient per year ranged from $189.5 ± $1.900.6 to $240.2 ± $1.903.6 depending on the price guidebook. The total cost had been driven by the medication use (79% of total cost) and by the outpatient visits (20% of total cost). CONCLUSIONS: In the population analyzed, the mean total direct cost per patient per year of asthma was $189.5 and $240.2, depending on the cost source. Direct medical costs were higher in cases classified as severe and in the adult and elderly population. When comparing the sources of resource utilization, it was found that the mean cost per patient obtained from real-life data is lower than the theoretical cost obtained from the bottom-up method with quantification of resources from experts. It is important to consider limitations related to study design and the evolving landscape of asthma treatments.

Measuring the economic burden of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the economic burden of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in the Colombian context. METHODS: Analyses were conducted from a societal perspective using the prevalence-based approach. Costs were expressed in 2022 US dollars (1 USD = $3,914.46 COP). Direct medical costs were assessed from a bottom-up approach. Indirect costs included loss of productivity of the patient and their caregivers. The economic burden of NMOSD in Colombia was estimated as the sum of direct and indirect costs. RESULTS: The direct cost of treating a patient with NMOSD was USD$ 8,149.74 per year. When projecting costs nationwide, NMOSD would cost USD$ 7.2 million per year. Of these costs, 53.5% would be attributed to relapses and 34.4% to pharmacological therapy. Indirect costs potentially attributed to NMOSD in Colombia were estimated at USD$ 1.5 million per year per cohort. Of these, 78% are attributable to loss of patient productivity, mainly due to reduced access to the labor market and premature mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The NMOSD has a representative economic burden at the patient level, with direct costs, particularly related to relapses and medicines, being the main component of total costs. These findings are useful evidence that requires attention from public policymakers in Colombia.

Burden of disease of spinal muscular atrophy linked to chromosome 5q (5q-SMA) in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: This article estimates the disease burden of 5q-SMA in Colombia by using the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) metric. METHODS: Epidemiological data were obtained from local databases and medical literature and were adjusted in the DisMod II tool. DALYs were obtained by adding years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). RESULTS: The modeled prevalence of 5q-SMA in Colombia was 0.74 per 100,000 population. The fatality rate for all types was 14.1%. The disease burden of 5q-SMA was estimated at 4,421 DALYs (8.6 DALYs/100,000), corresponding to 4,214 (95.3%) YLLs and 207 (4.7%) YLDs. Most of the DALYs were accounted in the 2-17 age group. Of the total burden, 78% correspond to SMA type 1, 18% to type 2, and 4% to type 3. CONCLUSIONS: Although 5q-SMA is a rare disease, it is linked to a significant disease burden due to premature mortality and severe sequelae. The estimates shown in this article are important inputs to inform public policy decisions on how to ensure adequate health service provision for patients with 5q-SMA.

Burden of disease of chronic pain in Ecuador.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the burden of disease related to chronic pain in Ecuador. METHODS: We used Global Burden of Disease (GBD) methods to estimated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to chronic pain in Ecuador related to lumbar pain, osteoarthritis, post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, cancer-related pain, and other musculoskeletal pain. We estimated the prevalent cases by sex and age group using literature data. We only estimated years lived with disability using disability weights obtained from the GBD, with the assumption that no premature death would be related to pain. We used a prevalence-based approach to estimate cases by sex and age group using literature, without discounting or age adjustment. We calculated total DALYs and DALYs/100,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: Our estimated yielded a total of 3,644,108 patients with chronic pain. They would produce 256,090 DALYs or 1,483 DALYs/100,000 inhabitants attributable to chronic pain. Low back pain, osteoarthritis and cancer-related pain were the drivers of DALY production. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic pain is an important source of burden of disease. It is comparable to other important causes such as headaches, stroke, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among others. Low back pain, osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal pain were the biggest contributors given their high prevalence.

Estimate of the cost per responder for treatment with biological therapies of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Colombia for first-year and maintenance periods.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease manifesting as erythematous and desquamative dermatoses. OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the cost per responder (CPR) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with biologic therapies approved by the Colombian regulatory agency. METHODS: This secondary study used a modeling based CPR estimation to evaluate psoriasis therapies in Colombia. We calculated CPR of achieving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores of 75, 90, and 100 for biological treatments based on the number needed to treat (NNT), reported in previously published network meta-analyses. We calculated CPR for the first year and for the maintenance period. We ranked alternatives using the estimated CPR from each literature source using the Borda count method. RESULTS: Adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept were the least expensive alternatives. Ixekizumab, guselkumab and secukinumab were the treatments with the lowest NNT for PASI 75, 90, and 100. For both first year and maintenance periods, adalimumab, infliximab, guselkumab and ixekizumab had the lowest CPR. Sensitivity analyzes showed consistent results. CONCLUSIONS: The application of CPR analysis of biologics to treat plaque psoriasis demonstrated that adalimumab, infliximab, guselkumab, and ixekizumab had the lowest CPR in the first year of treatment and during the maintenance period.

Cost-utility and budget impact analysis of CPAP therapy compared to no treatment in the management of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in Colombia from a third-party payer perspective.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct cost-utility and budget impact analysis of providing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy versus no treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Colombia from a third-party payer perspective. METHODS: We used a Markov model to assess the cost-utility and budget impact analysis of CPAP in patients over 40 years old with moderate to severe OSA. Data on effectiveness and utility values were obtained from published literature. A discount rate of 5% was applied for outcomes and costs. ICER was calculated and compared against the threshold estimated for Colombia, which is 86% of the GDP per capita. RESULTS: Over a lifetime horizon, the base case analysis showed the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained with CPAP therapy was COP$3,503,804 (USD$1,011 in 2020 prices). The budget impact analysis showed that the adoption of CPAP therapy in the target population would lead to a cumulative net budget impact of COP$411,722 million (USD$118,784,412 in, 2020 prices) over five years of time horizon. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP was cost-effective compared to no-treatment in OSA. According to the budget impact analysis, adopting this technology would require a budget allocation that is partially offset by reduced number of strokes and traffic accident events.

Carga económica de la degeneración macular neovascular y el edema macular diabético en Colombia / Economic burden of neovascular macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema in Colombia

Antecedentes: La pérdida de visión tiene consecuencias tanto en la salud como en la estabilidad económica, ya que promueve retrasos en el desarrollo emocional, social, además de reducciones en la productividad laboral. Objetivo: Estimar la carga económica de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad neovascular (DMAEn) y el edema macular diabético (EMD) en Colombia para el año 2022. Método: Para una perspectiva social se incluyeron costos directos utilizando la aproximación de Bottom-up y costos indirectos relacionados con la pérdida de productividad. Resultados: El costo directo de un paciente con DMAEn fue 5.974 USD$ desde una base teórica. A nivel nacional, la DMAEn costaría 179,9 millones USD$. Los costos indirectos de DMAEn se estimaron en 13,9 millones USD$. Los costos directos teóricos en EMD fueron 741,6 millones USD$. El costo nacional sería de 132,04 millones USD$. Para los costos indirectos de EMD, se estimó un costo de 93,3 millones USD$. Conclusiones: La DMAEn y el EMD tienen un alto impacto para el sistema de salud y la sociedad.

Background: The vision loss has consequences for both health and economic stability, since it promotes delays in emotional and social development, as well as reductions in labor productivity. Objective: To estimate the economic burden of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in Colombia for 2022. Method: For a social perspective, direct costs were included using the bottom-up approach, and indirect costs related to lost productivity. Results: The direct costs of treating a patient with AMD were USD $5,974 from a theoretical background. At national level, the AMD would cost USD $179.9 million. The AMD indirect cost in Colombia was estimated in USD $13.9 million. Patients theoretical direct cost of DME was USD $741.6 million. The cost at national level is USD $132.04 million. Regarding the indirect costs result for DME, a cost of USD $93.31 million was estimated. Conclusions: The AMD and the DME have a considerable impact on the health system and society.

Burden of disease of chronic pain in Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the burden of disease of chronic pain in Colombia. METHODS: We estimated disability adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to chronic pain using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) method. We identified diagnostic codes related to chronic pain considering lumbar pain, osteoarthritis, post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, cancer-related pain, and others. We estimated the prevalent cases by sex and age-group using local administrative databases and literature. We assumed that pain would not cause premature death, so we only estimated years lived with disability using disability weights obtained from the GBD. We used a prevalence-based approach, without discounting or age-group adjustment. We calculated total DALYs and DALYs/100,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: We estimated a total of 5,545,019 patients with chronic pain. We calculated 491,626 DALYs or 976 DALYs/100,000 inhabitants attributable to chronic pain. Low back pain, osteoarthritis, and cancer-related pain were the most important groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study estimates that chronic pain contributes a significant quantity of DALYs, especially related to low back pain, osteoarthritis, and cancer-related pain. Chronic pain should be considered in the public health agenda.

The impact of universal varicella vaccination on the clinical burden of varicella in Colombia: A National database Analysis, 2008-2019.

In 2015, one-dose universal varicella vaccination (UVV) was introduced in the Colombian National Immunization Program targeting children aged 12 months, expanding to a two-dose program in 2019. This study aimed to examine the effect of one-dose UVV on the burden of varicella in Colombia. A retrospective study was conducted using national databases to estimate incidence and mortality for the target (1-4 years old), non-target (less than 1 and 5 years and older) and overall (all age groups) populations from the pre-UVV period (January 2008-June 2015) to the post-UVV period (July 2015-December 2019). A time-series analyses with ARIMA modeling was used to project expected varicella incidence and mortality in the absence of UVV in the post-UVV period. UVV impact was estimated by comparing predicted and observed values, providing point estimates and prediction intervals (PI). Overall vaccination coverage rate was over 90 % from 2016-2019. Following UVV introduction, mean annual incidence rates reduced from 743.6 to 676.8 per 100,000 in the target population and from 203.2 to 198.1 per 100,000 in the overall population. Our study estimated a reduction in varicella incidence from 2017, with the highest reduction of 70.5 % (95 % PI: 78.2-54.2) and 54.8 % (95 % PI: 65.0-36.4) observed in 2019 for the target and the overall populations, respectively. The ARIMA model estimated UVV in Colombia to have prevented 198,236 varicella cases from 2015 to 2019. Mortality reduced in the overall population from 0.8 per 1,000,000 to 0.5 per 1,000,000 and from 1.3 per 1,000,000 to 0.5 per 1,000,000 in the target population, in the pre-UVV and post-UVV periods, respectively. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Our study showed a significant reduction in varicella incidence after implementation of a one-dose UVV program in Colombia, increasing over time. Further assessment is needed to evaluate the impact of a two-dose UVV program in Colombia.

Budgetary impact analysis of alteplase - recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) - as a thrombolytic treatment for acute ischemic stroke in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombolysis is effective for treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Trials have evaluated its effectiveness at different timepoints after stroke. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and budgetary impact of increasing the proportion of thrombolyzed acute ischemic stroke patients in Colombia. METHODS: The budgetary impact was estimated for a 5-year time horizon from the perspective of the third-party payer. Costs were estimated using local standardized methods and expressed in US dollars of 2020. We compared two scenarios: a current one and an alternative one, with doubled thrombolysis access. RESULTS: The increase in thrombolyzed patients would decrease the number of patients with sequelae by 1,721, 2,594 and 1,007 in the ranges of 0-90 minutes, 91-180 and 181-270, respectively. The budget effort increase for each of the treatment initiation ranges is of USD$15,525,649(+5.5%), USD$16,665,304(+5.7%) and USD$16,963,231(+7.0%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Doubling the number of patients with AIS who are thrombolyzed would lead to reductions in the number of patients with sequelae and would require a budgetary effort of 5.5-7.0%. The early initiation of treatment gives an additional benefit in reducing the number of sequelae and a lower budgetary impact than initiation within the later time window.

Cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin compared to DPP-4 inhibitors as combination therapy with metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus without established cardiovascular disease in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors are among the preferred options in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without established cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin versus DPP-4 inhibitors as a complement to metformin in the treatment ofT2D, from the perspective of the Colombian health system. METHODS: The Cardiff model was used to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of dapagliflozin plus metformin compared to DPP-4 inhibitors plus metformin in adults with T2DM who did not respond adequately to metformin monotherapy. We estimated the incidence of micro- and macrovascular complications from risk equations incorporating the effect of treatment. The time horizon for analysis was 5 years and a discount rate of 5% was applied, for both costs and outcomes. The costs were expressed in 2020 USD (1 USD = $3,693.36 COP). RESULTS: Dapagliflozin in association with metformin resulted in a higher number of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared to the intervention. The ICER was US$1,964.80 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: From the point of view of Colombian healthcare system, the combination of dapagliflozin with metformin is a cost-effective option compared to DPP-4 + metformin inhibitors in the treatment of T2D without established cardiovascular disease.

Cost-utility of dapagliflozin plus standard treatment compared to standard treatment for the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The DAPA-HF study has shown that dapagliflozin added to standard treatment reduced the risks of worsening of heart failure or cardiovascular death compared to placebo. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost- utility of dapagliflozin in combination with standard treatment compared to standard treatment alone for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction from the perspective of the Colombian health system. METHODS: A Markov model using information from the DAPA-HF study was adapted to the Colombian setting. Health states considered symptom score, and transient health states were included to assess the incidence of consultations and hospitalizations for heart failure. The time horizon was 5 years and a 5% discount rate was applied. The costs were expressed in US dollars of 2020 (1 USD =$3,693.36 COP). RESULTS: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the intervention compared to standard treatment was USD $5,946 per quality adjusted life year gained. The ICER remained below the cost-effectiveness threshold in sub-group analyses. 97% of sensitivity analysis simulations showed an ICER below the cost-effectiveness threshold. CONCLUSION: From the perspective of the analysis, the addition of dapagliflozin to standard treatment is a cost-effective option in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Colombia.

Cost-consequence analysis of diagnosis and early treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to evaluate the costs and benefits of early identification and treatment (within 24 hours of admission) of patients with aTTP in Colombia. METHODS: A cost-consequence analysis was conducted to evaluate the costs and health outcomes of diagnosis and early treament versus no treatment (scenario 1) and late treatment (scenario 2) in a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients with aTTP. The analysis perspective was that of the third-party payer. RESULTS: In scenario 1, he total cost of early treatment was USD$515,157 compared to USD$293,265 for no treatment. Early treatment avoided 65 deaths in the hypothetical cohort. The cost per death avoided was USD$3,414. In scenario 2, the cost of early treatment was USD$935,507 compared to USD$809,103 in the late start of treatment. By treating patients early, 33 deaths were avoided, 23 patients were estimated to be alive without exacerbations and 16 without relapses. The cost per death avoided was USD$3,879 and the cost per patient alive without exacerbations and relapses was USD$5,611 and USD$7,858, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The early identification and treatment of patients with aTTP are associated with benefits in survival and recurrence-free survival, and an incremental cost in the process of care compared to no treatment or late treatment.

Costoefectividad del régimen combinado de mirabegron/solifenacina en el tratamiento del síndrome de vejiga hiperactiva en Colombia / Cost-effectiveness of the Combined Regimen of Mirabegron/Solifenacin in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome in Colombia

Objetivo Evaluar la costoefectividad incremental del régimen combinado de mirabegron/solifenacina en comparación con el uso temprano de toxina botulínica, desde la perspectiva del sistema de salud colombiano, para el tratamiento de adultos con vejiga hiperactiva. Métodos Se empleó un modelo de Markov en que se comparan dos secuencias de tratamiento, una con y otra sin mirabegron/solifenacina, para evaluar la costoefectividad en un horizonte temporal de cinco años. Debido a la perspectiva de análisis, sólo se tuvieron en cuenta los costos médicos directos. La eficacia del tratamiento evaluado y su comparador fue medida en términos de la reducción de episodios diarios de incontinencia y de la frecuencia de micciones. Los costos fueron expresados en pesos colombianos de 2019, y se aplicó una tasa de descuento de 5% tanto para desenlaces como para costos. Resultados Para el caso base, el costo del tratamiento en la secuencia que incluye mirabegron/solifenacina fue mayor, pero generó un mayor número de años de vida ajustados por calidad, y así e obtuvo una razón de costoefectividad incremental de $13.637,184 si se considera el desenlace de reducción de episodios diarios de incontinencia de 50%, y de $29.313,848 si se considera el del 100%. Conclusiones De acuerdo con los resultados de esta evaluación, para un horizonte de análisis de cinco años, la secuencia de tratamiento con mirabegron/solifenacina es una alternativa costoefectiva, si se considera un umbral de disposición a pagar de tres veces el producto interno bruto (PIB) per cápita.

Aim To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of the combined regimen of mirabegron/solifenacin compared with the early use of botulinum toxin, from the perspective of the Colombian health system, for the treatment of adults with overactive bladder. Methods A Markov model comparing two treatment sequences, one with and one without mirabegron/solifenacin, was used to assess cost-effectiveness over a five-year period. Due to the perspective of the analysis, only direct medical costs were considered. The efficacy of the evaluated treatment and its comparator was measured in terms of the reduction in the daily incontinence episodes and the frequency of micturition. The costs were expressed in Colombian pesos of 2019, and a discount rate of 5% was applied for both outcomes and costs. Results For the base case, the cost of the treatment in the sequence that includes mirabegron/solifenacin was higher, but it generated a greater number of quality-adjusted years of life, thus obtaining an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $13,637,184 when considering the outcome of 50% of reduction in the daily incontinence episodes, and $29,313,848 when considering 100%. Conclusions According to the results of the present assessment, for a five-year period of analysi, the mirabegron/solifenacin treatment sequence is a cost-effective alternative when considering a threshold of willingness to pay three times the per capita gross domestic product (GDP).

Cost-Effectiveness of the Dabrafenib Schedule in Combination With Trametinib Compared With Other Targeted Therapies, Immunotherapy, and Dacarbazine for the Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma With BRAFV600 Mutation in Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: Advanced melanoma accounts for 4% of malignant skin tumors, and approximately 80% of deaths are attributed to it. The most frequent mutation of the RAF gene is BRAFV600, which has been associated with a worse prognosis. The objective of the research was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the combined regimen of dabrafenib plus trametinib (D + T) compared with other targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and dacarbazine for the treatment of unresectable/metastatic melanoma with BRAFV600 mutation from the perspective of the Colombian health system. METHODS: A partitioned survival model with 3 states (progression-free survival, progression, and death) was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness for a time horizon of 20 years. Owing to the perspective of the analysis, only direct medical costs were taken into account. The efficacy of the evaluated treatment and the comparators were measured in terms of overall survival and progression-free survival. All costs were expressed in Colombian pesos as of 2018, and outcomes and costs were discounted at 5% annually. Two analysis scenarios were considered, one in which only monitoring and follow-up costs were included in the progression phase and another in which costs of acquisition of possible treatment sequences were also included. RESULTS: In the first scenario (without postprogression medication costs), the combined D + T regimen was a dominant alternative to vemurafenib + cobimetinib but was not a cost-effective option compared with vemurafenib, nivolumab, ipilimumab, nivolumab + ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and dacarbazine. In the second scenario (with drug costs in postprogression), D + T was dominant compared with vemurafenib + cobimetinib and cost-effective compared with nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Compared with other schemes, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was above the threshold of 3 gross domestic product per capita. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that a willingness-to-pay threshold of Col$56 484 300 (US$19 108) per quality-adjusted life-year would not be reached at the current price of schema in Colombia. CONCLUSIONS: The combined scheme could be a cost-effective and even a cost-saving alternative to vemurafenib + cobimetinib, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab if the costs associated with the use of other medications are taken into account after progression to the first line of treatment. Compared with the other comparators, it produces a greater number of quality-adjusted life-years, but the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is above that of the willingness to pay.

Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer with mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of sequences starting with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), afatinib and osimertinib, for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive (Exon 19 deletion or L858R) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stages IIIB - IV in Colombia. METHODS: A partitioned survival model was designed, using information from global and progression-free survival curves. For first and second-generation TKI, second line treatment was assumed according to the presence of T790M mutation to define the use of osimertinib or chemotherapy. The cost of the states without progression and post-progression was estimated using the base case approach, identified through consultation with clinical experts. RESULTS: The cost of treatment starting with afatinib in the first line was of 222,247 USD (1 USD = 3171.99 COP) and produced 1.36 QALYs. The strategy with afatinib was dominant with respect to that of first line TKI (227,289 USD and 1.34 QALY). The strategy with osimertinib resulted in more QALYs and higher costs, with ICERs of 35,062 USD, exceeding the current willingness to pay threshold for Colombia. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment starting with afatinib in the first line is dominant with respect to the strategy with first line TKI. The ICER of osimertinib sequence exceeds the threshold when compared with afatinib one.

Cost-Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Compared With Nonsurgical Treatment in People With Obesity and Comorbidity in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The increase in obesity prevalence and its relationship with multiple cardiovascular complications have raised the burden of obesity in the general population. Bariatric surgery has shown to be more effective in reducing weight than the traditional pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this alternative compared with standard treatment in the Colombian context. METHODS: A Markov single cohort model was used to simulate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained every year over a base-case 5-year time horizon. The model considers 5 health states: comorbidity, remission, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and death. Four comorbidity conditions were evaluated separately: diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea. The model was evaluated from a third-payer perspective. All costs were expressed in 2016 Colombian pesos ($1.00 = 3051 COP). A 5% annual discount rate was applied to both costs and outcomes. RESULTS: In baseline analysis, bariatric surgery was a cost-effective alternative compared with nonsurgical treatment in the diabetes and hypertension cohort with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $6 194 899 and $43 689 527 per QALY gained, respectively. In the sleep apnea cohort, surgery has greater effectiveness and lower costs, which is why it is a dominant strategy. In the dyslipidemia cohort, bariatric surgery is dominated by the nonsurgical approach. CONCLUSION: The current study provides evidence that bariatric surgery is a cost-effective alternative among some cohorts in the Colombian setting. For obese patients with sleep apnea or diabetes, bariatric surgery is a recommendable alternative (dominant and cost-effective, respectively) for the Colombian healthcare system.

The Public Health Benefits and Economic Value of Routine Yellow Fever Vaccination in Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the public health benefits and economic value of live-attenuated yellow fever (YF) 17D vaccine in Colombia. METHODS: A decision tree model was used to assess the theoretical impact of routine YF vaccination of 1-year-olds (no "catch-up") during the interepidemic period from 1980 to 2002, avoiding capturing the impact of YF vaccine introduction in 2003. The vaccine was assumed to be 99% effective, to provide lifetime protection, and to cover 85% of the target population. Costs per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted were computed from payer and societal perspectives. Univariate sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the interepidemic period, routine YF vaccination would have averted 2223 nonfatal cases of YF and 65 deaths, leading to an overall reduction of 1365 DALYs. The net cost of this vaccination would have been $25 964 813 (payer's perspective) and $16 535 465 (societal perspective). Cost per DALY averted was $19 022 and $12 114 from payer and societal perspectives, respectively (all costs in 2015 US dollars). Vaccination was considered cost-effective from both perspectives (ie, between 1- and 3-fold the gross domestic product per capita, $7158) and remains so if price per dose was $2.75 or less and $4.66 from payer and societal perspectives, respectively. Underreporting had the largest impact on the results. CONCLUSIONS: Routine toddler YF vaccination in Colombia would have been considered cost-effective in the prevaccination era. This study provides insights on the value of vaccination in an upper middle-income country.

Burden of Disease Attributable to Obesity and Overweight in Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the burden of disease attributable to obesity and overweight conditions using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in Colombia. METHODS: The burden of disease was estimated following an adapted methodology published by the World Health Organization. A selection of diseases was performed in which overweight and obesity are risk factors. DALYs were calculated by obtaining the proportion of cases and deaths of every disease that can be attributable to obesity and overweight conditions. The economic impact of obesity was calculated by multiplying the cost of care per patient for each comorbidity by the number of cases attributable exclusively to obesity. RESULTS: A total of 997 371 DALYs were estimated, 45% of which corresponded to men; 81% of DALYs corresponded to years lived with disability. Conditions with greater attributable DALYs are, in order, hypertension (31.6% of the total DALYs), type 2 diabetes mellitus (28.0%), cardiac ischemic disease (14.6%), and lower back pain (11.2%). An estimation of 20.5 DALYs per 1000 inhabitants was made. The economic impact of care for comorbidities associated with obesity could amount to $2158 million. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and overweight conditions are related to higher mortality and disability than previously estimated; effective interventions aimed at prevention and treatment will have a high impact on quality of life.

Costo-efectividad del abordaje radial comparado con el femoral en la arteriografía coronaria diagnóstica e intervencionista / Cost-effectiveness of the radial compared with the femoral approach in diagnostic and interventionist coronary angiography

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la costo-efectividad del acceso arterial radial comparado con el femoral en la realización tanto de arteriografía coronaria diagnóstica como de angioplastia coronaria transluminal percutánea. Métodos: Se construyó un modelo de árbol de decisión para determinar costos de las dos intervenciones en pacientes adultos con sospecha de enfermedad cardiovascular. Para el análisis de efectividad se evaluó la frecuencia de complicaciones mayores y menores en ambos abordajes. La perspectiva para los costos fue la del tercero pagador (sistema de salud colombiano); se incluyeron solo costos médicos directos asociados a los procedimientos y las complicaciones, expresados en pesos colombianos de 2016 (1 USD = COP 3.051). Resultados: El costo promedio estimado de la arteriografía coronaria con abordaje radial fue $1.384.945 y el femoral de $1.474.543. En angioplastia coronaria transluminal percutánea se estimó un costo ponderado de $8.037.743 en el abordaje radial y $8.319.178 en el femoral. El abordaje radial fue dominante para los eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores respecto al femoral. Tanto en angiografía diagnóstica como en intervención el abordaje radial evita 0,9% de los eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores y 1,6% de los sangrados mayores, pero presenta más complicaciones menores que el abordaje femoral. Conclusiones: El abordaje radial en arteriografía coronaria diagnóstica y en angioplastia coronaria transluminal percutánea mostró ser una estrategia dominante, al tener un menor costo y menos eventos adversos cardiovasculares mayores.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of radial artery access compared with that of femoral in the performing of diagnostic coronary angiography, as well as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Methods: A decision tree model was constructed in order to determine the costs of two interventions in adult patients with a suspicion of cardiovascular disease. For the effectiveness analysis, an evaluation was made of the major and minor complications in both approaches. The perspective for the costs was the ``third party payer'' (Colombian health system), and included the medical costs associated with the procedure and the complications, expressed in Colombian pesos (2016, 1 US$ = COP 3.051) Results: The estimated mean cost of the coronary angiography using a radial approach was $1,384,945 and $1,474,543 by the femoral approach. In percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty the weighted cost was $8,037,743 in the radial approach and $8,319,178 in the femoral approach. The radial approach was dominant for major adverse cardiovascular events compared to the femoral one. In both diagnostic and interventionist angiography, the radial approach avoided 0.9% of the major cardiovascular events and 1.6% of major bleeds, but had more minor complications than the femoral approach. Conclusions: The radial artery approach in diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is shown to be a dominant strategy, on being less costly and having less major cardiovascular adverse events.