A cost-effectiveness analysis of a novel algorithm to sequentially diagnose leprosy based on manufactured tests under the SUS perspective.

Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases (a disease with a significant burden) in the world. Despite global and local efforts to eliminate this public health problem, inadequate or late diagnosis contribute to perpetuate its transmission, especially among household contacts. Tests such as the rapid IgM antibody detection (RT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were developed to overcome the challenges of early diagnosis of leprosy. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of a new diagnostic algorithm recommended by the Brazilian government to diagnose leprosy in household contacts of confirmed leprosy cases, which includes the RT and RT-PCR tests. A decision tree model was constructed and the perspective of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and a 1-year time horizon were adopted. Only direct medical costs related to diagnostic tests were included. Effectiveness was measured as the number of avoided undiagnosed leprosy cases. Different scenarios were analyzed. The sequential use of RT, slit-skin smear (SSS) microscopy, and RT-PCR as recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health was compared to a base case (isolated SSS microscopy), yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of USD 616.46 per avoided undiagnosed leprosy case. Univariate sensitivity analysis showed that the prevalence of leprosy among household contacts was the variable that influenced the model the most. This is the first economic model to analyze a diagnostic algorithm of leprosy. Results may aid managers to define policies and strategies to eradicate leprosy in Brazil.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of a novel algorithm to sequentially diagnose leprosy based on manufactured tests under the SUS perspective / Análise de custo-efetividade de um novo algoritmo para exame sequencial de hanseníase baseado em testes fabricados sob a perspectiva do SUS / Análisis de costo-efectividad de un nuevo algoritmo para el examen secuencial de lepra basado en pruebas fabricadas bajo la perspectiva del SUS

Abstract: Brazil has the second largest number of leprosy cases (a disease with a significant burden) in the world. Despite global and local efforts to eliminate this public health problem, inadequate or late diagnosis contribute to perpetuate its transmission, especially among household contacts. Tests such as the rapid IgM antibody detection (RT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were developed to overcome the challenges of early diagnosis of leprosy. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of a new diagnostic algorithm recommended by the Brazilian government to diagnose leprosy in household contacts of confirmed leprosy cases, which includes the RT and RT-PCR tests. A decision tree model was constructed and the perspective of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and a 1-year time horizon were adopted. Only direct medical costs related to diagnostic tests were included. Effectiveness was measured as the number of avoided undiagnosed leprosy cases. Different scenarios were analyzed. The sequential use of RT, slit-skin smear (SSS) microscopy, and RT-PCR as recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health was compared to a base case (isolated SSS microscopy), yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of USD 616.46 per avoided undiagnosed leprosy case. Univariate sensitivity analysis showed that the prevalence of leprosy among household contacts was the variable that influenced the model the most. This is the first economic model to analyze a diagnostic algorithm of leprosy. Results may aid managers to define policies and strategies to eradicate leprosy in Brazil.

Resumo: O Brasil tem o segundo maior número de casos de hanseníase (doença com carga significativa) do mundo. Apesar dos esforços globais e locais para eliminar esse problema de saúde pública, o diagnóstico inadequado ou tardio contribui para perpetuar sua transmissão, especialmente entre contatos intradomiciliares. Exames como o teste rápido de anticorpos IgM (RT) e a reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (RT-PCR) foram desenvolvidos para superar as barreiras do diagnóstico precoce da hanseníase. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a relação custo-efetividade de um novo algoritmo de diagnóstico recomendado pelo governo brasileiro para diagnosticar a hanseníase em contatos domiciliares de casos confirmados de hanseníase, que inclui os testes RT e RT-PCR. Foi construído um modelo de árvore de decisão e adotada a perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) considerando o período de um ano. Foram incluídos apenas os custos médicos diretos relacionados aos exames diagnósticos. A efetividade foi medida considerando o número de casos evitados de hanseníase. Diferentes cenários foram analisados. O uso sequencial de RT, baciloscopia e RT-PCR, conforme recomendado pelo Ministério da Saúde, foi comparado a um caso base (baciloscopia isolada), obtendo-se uma razão de custo-efetividade incremental de USD 616,46 por caso evitado de hanseníase. A análise de sensibilidade univariada mostrou que a prevalência de hanseníase entre contatos intradomiciliares foi a variável que mais influenciou o modelo. Este é o primeiro modelo econômico a analisar um algoritmo diagnóstico da hanseníase. Os resultados poderão auxiliar os gestores na definição de políticas e estratégias para a erradicação da hanseníase no Brasil.

Resumen: Brasil tiene el segundo mayor número de casos de lepra (enfermedad con carga significativa) del mundo. A pesar de los esfuerzos globales y locales para eliminar ese problema de salud pública, el diagnóstico inadecuado o tardío contribuye a perpetuar su transmisión, sobre todo entre contactos intradomiciliarios. Los exámenes como la prueba rápida de anticuerpos IgM (RT) y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (RT-PCR) se desarrollaron para superar las barreras del diagnóstico precoz de la lepra. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación de costo-efectividad de un nuevo algoritmo de diagnóstico recomendado por el gobierno brasileño para diagnosticar la lepra en contactos domiciliarios de casos confirmados de lepra, que incluye las pruebas RT y RT-PCR. Se construyó un modelo de árbol de decisión y se adoptó la perspectiva del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) teniendo en cuenta el periodo de un año. Solo se incluyeron los costos médicos directos relacionados con los exámenes diagnósticos. Se midió la efectividad teniendo en cuenta el número de casos de lepra evitados. Se analizaron distintos escenarios. Se comparó el uso secuencial de RT, baciloscopia y RT-PCR, conforme el Ministerio de Salud recomienda, con un caso base (baciloscopia aislada), y se obtuvo un cociente de costo-efectividad incremental de USD 616,46 por cada caso de lepra evitado. El análisis de sensibilidad univariante mostró que la prevalencia de lepra entre contactos intradomiciliarios fue la variable que más influyó el modelo. Este es el primer modelo económico que analiza un algoritmo diagnóstico de lepra. Los resultados podrán ayudar los gestores a definir políticas y estrategias para erradicar la lepra en Brasil.

Implante transcateter de valva aórtica para o tratamento da estenose aórtica grave: uma revisão sistemática de estudos de avaliação econômica completa / Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis: a systematic review of complete economic evaluation studies

Objetivo: Comparar o implante transcateter de valva aórtica (TAVI) ao tratamento conservador em pacientes inoperáveis ou à cirurgia de troca valvar (SAVR) em pacientes com risco cirúrgico alto ou intermediário conforme a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), por meio de uma revisão sistemática de avaliações econômicas completas. Avaliar a variabilidade de modelos econômicos, parâmetros, pressupostos e sua influência nos resultados finais. Métodos: Foi realizada uma busca da literatura nas bases Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SciELO e International HTA Base e busca manual. Foram incluídas análises econômicas completas baseadas em modelos econômicos publicadas entre 2011 e 2022, em português, inglês e espanhol. A qualidade dos estudos foi avaliada usando o instrumento QHES (Quality of Health Economic Studies). Resultados: Foram incluídos 36 estudos, majoritariamente análises de custo-utilidade (64%), da Europa (41%), utilizando dados de eficácia dos estudos PARTNER. O modelo de Markov (61%) foi predominante. O custo da prótese do TAVI foi um parâmetro de impacto na análise de sensibilidade nos três grupos. Os estudos alcançaram uma boa qualidade no instrumento QHES. Conclusão: O TAVI tendeu a ser custo-efetivo em relação aos comparadores. Os modelos não foram homogêneos nos parâmetros, horizontes temporais e taxa de desconto, podendo impactar a custo-efetividade do TAVI e dificultar a comparação dos resultados entre diferentes países e perspectivas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to conservative treatment in inoperable patients or to valve replacement surgery (SAVR) in patients at high or intermediate surgical risk according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), through a systematic review of comprehensive economic evaluations. Evaluate the variability of economic models, parameters, assumptions and their influence on final results. Methods: A literature search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SciELO and International HTA Base and manual search. Complete economic analyzes based on economic models published between 2011 and 2022 in Portuguese, English and Spanish were included. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the QHES (Quality of Health Economic Studies) instrument. Results: Thirty-six studies were included, mostly cost-utility analyses (64%), from Europe (41%), and using efficacy data from the PARTNER studies. The Markov model (61%) was predominant. The cost of the TAVI prosthesis was the most important parameter in the sensitivity analysis in the three groups. The studies achieved a good quality in QHES instrument. Conclusion: TAVI tended to be cost-effective relative to comparators. The models were not homogeneous in parameters, time horizons and discount rate, which may have an impact on the cost-effectiveness of TAVI, making it difficult to compare the results between different countries and perspectives.

Cost Utility of Vaccination Against COVID-19 in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-utility of the Oxford, CoronaVac, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system. METHODS: A total of 3 microsimulation models were constructed with individual data to evaluate the 3 vaccines. The simulation contains 7 transition states that are related to the natural history of the disease. The model with a daily cycle has a time horizon of 1 year and uses data from 289 days of the pandemic. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system considering direct medical costs. For the model inputs, outpatient and hospital databases were used with information on treated patients stratified by age. Information on mortality was also stratified based on patients' age in the mortality database (SIM). The efficacy of vaccines to reduce the likelihood of patients becoming ill was evaluated independently for each vaccine. Information on the quality of life of patients in outpatient or hospital treatment and the sequelae resulting from the disease were extracted from the literature. The main outcome of the analysis was quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). RESULTS: The vaccines showed incremental cost-utility ratios ranging from R$-23 161.3/QALY (Oxford) to R$17 757.85/QALY (CoronaVac). The older the population, the lower was the incremental cost-utility ratio. Given a willingness-to-pay threshold of R$17 586/QALY, all the vaccines were considered cost-effective in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the analysis by age group can help in the preparation of a vaccination prioritization plan.