Cost-utility analysis of a palliative care program in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The economic assessment of health care models in palliative care promotes their global development. The purpose of the study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of a palliative care program (named Contigo) with that of conventional care from the perspective of a health benefit plan administrator company, Sanitas, in Colombia. METHODS: The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) and the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were estimated using micro-costing in a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional study on the care of terminally ill patients enrolled in a palliative care program. A 6-month time horizon prior to death was used. The EQ-5D-3 L questionnaire (EQ-5D-3 L) and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL) were used to measure the quality of life. RESULTS: The study included 43 patients managed within the program and 16 patients who received conventional medical management. The program was less expensive than the conventional practice (difference of 1,924.35 US dollars (USD), P = 0.18). When compared to the last 15 days, there is a higher perception of quality of life, which yielded 0.25 in the EQ-5D-3 L (p < 0.01) and 1.55 in the MQOL (P < 0.01). The ICUR was negative and the INMB was positive. CONCLUSION: Because the Contigo program reduces costs while improving quality of life, it is considered to be net cost-saving and a model with value in health care. Greater availability of palliative care programs, such as Contigo, in Colombia can help reduce existing gaps in access to universal palliative care health coverage, resulting in more cost-effective care.

Genotype-driven asthma prescribing of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonist: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Predicting response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) + long-acting ß2-agonist (LABA) by previously detecting the presence of Arg16Gly ADRB2 genotype is a strategy that could reduce and optimize the management of asthmatic patients. There is a need for economic evaluations to facilitate the implementation of such tests. This research aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Arg16Gly ADRB2 screening in children with asthma in Colombia. METHODS: From the perspective of a third-party payer, we conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of genotype-driven asthma prescribing based on the Arg16Gly ADRB2 genotype versus current treatment based on no genetic testing. Using four state-transition models, we estimate cost and QALYs employing micro-simulation modeling with a time horizon of 10 years and a cycle length of 1 week. Cost-effectiveness was assessed at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) value of US$5180. RESULTS: The mean incremental cost of strategy genetic testing versus no genetic testing is US$ -6809. The mean incremental benefit of strategy genetic testing is 16 QALYs. The incremental net monetary benefit of strategic genetic testing versus no genetic testing is US$ 88,893. Genetic testing is the strategy with the highest expected net benefit. The outcomes derived from our primary analysis remained robust when subjected to variations in all underlying assumptions and parameter values. CONCLUSION: Genetic testing of Arg16Gly ADRB2 is a cost-effective strategy to address asthma management in asthmatic children requiring ICS+LABA. This result should encourage the generation of more evidence and the incorporation of such evidence into clinical practice guidelines for pediatric asthma.

Cost-utility analysis of prenatal supplementation with long-chain n-3 fatty acids to reduce the incidence of wheezing and asthma in neonates.

INTRODUCTION: Recent evidence indicates that Maternal Supplementation with Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids During Pregnancy Substantially Mitigates Offspring's Asthma. Adding information regarding its cost-utility will undoubtedly allow its adoption, or not, in clinical practice guidelines. This research aimed to determine the cost-utility of LCPUFA supplementation in the third trimester of pregnancy to reduce the risk of wheezing and asthma in infants in Colombia. METHODS: A Markov model was formulated to estimate the cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) attributed to individuals with severe asthma in Colombia, with a time horizon of five years and a cycle length of two weeks. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis and a value of information (VOI) analysis were conducted to evaluate the uncertainties in the case base. Cost-utility was assessed at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) value of US$5180. All costs were adjusted to 2021 with a 5% annual discounting rate for cost and QALYs. RESULTS: The mean incremental cost of LCPUFA supplementation versus no supplementation was US-43.65. The mean incremental benefit of LCPUFA supplementation versus no supplementation was 0.074 QALY. The incremental cost-utility ratio was estimated at US$590.68 per QALY. The outcomes derived from our primary analysis remained robust when subjected to variations in all underlying assumptions and parameter values. CONCLUSION: Supplementation strategy supplementation with long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is cost-effective in reducing the risk of developing asthma during childhood in Colombia.

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 Analysis Comparing Ocrelizumab Versus Rituximab in the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: The Colombian Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the cost-utility of ocrelizumab versus rituximab in patients with RRMS, from the perspective of the Colombian healthcare system. METHODOLOGY: Cost-utility study based on a Markov model, with a 50-year horizon and payer perspective. The currency was the US dollar for the year 2019, with a cost-effectiveness threshold of $5180 defined for Colombian health system. The model used annual cycles according to the health status determined by the disability scale. Direct costs were considered, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per 1 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained was used as the outcome measure. A discount rate of 5% was applied to costs and outcomes. Multiple one-way deterministic sensitivity analyses and 10 000 Monte Carlo simulation were conducted. RESULTS: For the treatment of patients with RRMS, ocrelizumab versus rituximab had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $73 652 for each QALY gained. After 50 years, 1 subject treated with ocrelizumab earns 4.8 QALYs >1 subject treated with rituximab, but at a higher cost of $521 759 versus $168 752, respectively. Ocrelizumab becomes a cost-effective therapy if its price is discounted > 86% or if there is a high willingness to pay. CONCLUSIONS: Ocrelizumab was not a cost-effective drug as compared with rituximab in treating patients with RRMS in Colombia.

HIV Rapid Testing in the General Population and the Usefulness of PrEP in Ecuador: A Cost-Utility Analysis.

Introduction: HIV is considered one of the most important chronic transmitted diseases worldwide. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS in 2020 proposed the strategy "95-95-95" which goals to achieve a 95% of cases identified, receives ART, and will have achieved suppression of the virus. In Ecuador by 2020, according to the Ministry of Public Health, 45,056 persons are living with HIV, principally men between 15 and 49 years, and a mortality rate of 4.8/100,000 habitats. This study aims to determine the cost-utility of applying an early screening to a sexually active population vs. only a high-risk population and if the use of PrEP is justified depending on different contexts. Methods: For the cost-utility evaluation, it was compared: (a) HIV screening performed only in the high-risk population vs. HIV screening in all population sexually active; and (b) the use of ART only for HIV treatment vs. ART as a treatment in diagnosed cases and the use of PrEP (only at a high-risk population of acquiring HIV). Calculation and weight of DALYs for HIV/SIDA were obtained through WHO guidelines. To generate the Markov model for HIV/AIDS, subjects were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic, as well as the HIV deaths. Results: Cost-benefit analysis (CUA) showed that ICER for early diagnosis had a negative value which means a saving if the strategy will be implemented as a regular test (-$591, -$4,360) and -108 and -934 DALYs, in the case of ART and PrEP, ICER the $30,541-$59,410, which resulted in more than the GDP's threshold and health years between 2,511 and 10,635 in the general population. With a reduction of 70% in the assigned budget for the early diagnosis, Ecuadorian people could lose between 4 and 6 DALYs, while if the budget reduces more than 50% to ART, it will generate a loss of 10-12 years of healthy life. Conclusion: CUA demonstrates that an early diagnosis in a sexually active population is cost-beneficial. This, combined with ART or PrEP, is ideal to add years of healthy life.

Cost-Utility of the CDK 4/6 Inhibitors for Postmenopausal Women With Luminal Advanced Breast Cancer in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Several trials have demonstrated the benefit of the CDK 4/6 inhibitors for postmenopausal women with luminal advanced breast cancer. This research aims to compare the cost-utility of the CDK 4/6 inhibitors in patients with no history of resistance to endocrine therapy. METHODS: A Markov model was constructed to estimate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of treatments from the Brazilian public health system perspective over a lifetime horizon (30 years) with 5% annual discount rate for both benefits and costs. Efficacy parameters were extracted from the pivotal studies. Costs were based on open data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The utilities were calculated according to the overall population preferences from a British study. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses evaluated the robustness of the results. RESULTS: The most cost-effective drug was ribociclib (US$50 748/QALY), followed by abemaciclib (US$64 052/QALY) and palbociclib (US$65 289/QALY). The univariate analysis showed that the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was mainly sensitive to the overall survival hazard ratio. The one thousand-probabilistic simulation showed that all ICUR values were above classical thresholds such as 1 to 3 gross domestic product (GDP) per capita per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Even though there is no established willingness to pay threshold in Brazil, the estimated ICUR for CDK 4/6 inhibitors is >6 times the Brazilian GDP per capita (GDP per capita = US$5694.73), which might be a barrier to their inclusion in the Brazilian public health system.

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.

Economic evaluation of adalimumab versus etanercept for psoriatic arthritis in a Brazilian real-world model.

BACKGROUND: TNF inhibitors are costly drugs supplied generally on health systems or private insurances. Performance analysis is essential to verify the results achieved by health technologies in these systems. The objective of the study was to compare the two most used biological drugs for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Brazil. METHODS: A cost-utility analysis was built using a Markov model, with a five-year time horizon, a discount rate of 5%, and from the perspective of the Unified Health System. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Etanercept was the most cost-effective drug. Adalimumab became the most cost-effective drug in one of the four analysis scenarios with a willingness to pay from one gross domestic product per capita. The deterministic sensitivity analysis identified that the cost parameters had the greatest impact on the most effective drug. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that etanercept is the drug most likely to be cost-effective. CONCLUSION: The difference between the drugs in terms of utility was minimal and the costs were the main factor that impacted the cost-utility ratio, which points to the benefits of price renegotiation for the efficient allocation of resources in the health system.

Cost-utility analysis of traditional drug therapy with and without exercise program for hypertensive patients in real-life data primary health care

Abstract Aim: The study aimed to conduct a cost-utility analysis of traditional drug therapy (TDT) provided for hypertensive patients at primary care in comparison to the protocol based on combination with an exercise program (TDT+E) in real-life conditions, adopting a health system perspective. Methods: Longitudinal study based on enrollment of 49 hypertensive adults distributed into two groups, for 12 months. Quality-adjusted life years were estimated using health-related quality of life. Direct health care costs were calculated including inputs and human resources in primary care from medical records. Sensitivity analysis was performed based on multivariate and probabilistic scenarios. Results: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of TDT+E in comparison to TDT were +79.69. Sensitivity analysis showed that TDT+E presented advantages considering uncertainties. Conclusion: Our findings show that exercise programs may improve quality of life and life expectancy among hypertensive patients.

The economic impact of two diagnostic strategies in the management of restorations in primary teeth: a health economic analysis plan for a trial-based economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Different approaches have been used by dentists to base their decision. Among them, there are the aesthetical issues that may lead to more interventionist approaches. Indeed, using a more interventionist strategy (the World Dental Federation - FDI), more replacements tend to be indicated than using a minimally invasive one (based on the Caries Around Restorations and Sealants-CARS). Since the resources related to the long-term health effects of these strategies have not been explored, the economic impact of using the less-invasive strategy is still uncertain. Thus, this health economic analysis plan aims to describe methodologic approaches for conducting a trial-based economic evaluation that aims to assess whether a minimally invasive strategy is more efficient in allocating resources than the conventional strategy for managing restorations in primary teeth and extrapolating these findings to a longer time horizon. METHODS: A trial-based economic evaluation will be conducted, including three cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) and one cost-utility analysis (CUA). These analyses will be based on the main trial (CARDEC-03/ NCT03520309 ), in which children aged 3 to 10 were included and randomized to one of the diagnostic strategies (based on FDI or CARS). An examiner will assess children's restorations using the randomized strategy, and treatment will be recommended according to the same criteria. The time horizon for this study is 2 years, and we will adopt the societal perspective. The average costs per child for 24 months will be calculated. Three different cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) will be performed. For CEAs, the effects will be the number of operative interventions (primary CEA analysis), the time to these new interventions, the percentage of patients who did not need new interventions in the follow-up, and changes in children's oral health-related quality of life (secondary analyses). For CUA, the effect will be tooth-related quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Intention-to-treat analyses will be conducted. Finally, we will assess the difference when using the minimally invasive strategy for each health effect (∆effect) compared to the conventional strategy (based on FDI) as the reference strategy. The same will be calculated for related costs (∆cost). The discount rate of 5% will be applied for costs and effects. We will perform deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to handle uncertainties. The net benefit will be calculated, and acceptability curves plotted using different willingness-to-pay thresholds. Using Markov models, a longer-term economic evaluation will be carried out with trial results extrapolated over a primary tooth lifetime horizon. DISCUSSION: The main trial is ongoing, and data collection is still not finished. Therefore, economic evaluation has not commenced. We hypothesize that conventional strategy will be associated with more need for replacements of restorations in primary molars. These replacements may lead to more reinterventions, leading to higher costs after 2 years. The health effects will be a crucial aspect to take into account when deciding whether the minimally invasive strategy will be more efficient in allocating resources than the conventional strategy when considering the management of restorations in primary teeth. Finally, patients/parents preferences and consequent utility values may also influence this final conclusion about the economic aspects of implementing the minimally invasive approach for managing restorations in clinical practice. Therefore, these trial-based economic evaluations may bring actual evidence of the economic impact of such interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03520309 . Registered May 9, 2018. Economic evaluations (the focus of this plan) are not initiated at the moment.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Transarterial Radioembolization With Yttrium-90 Resin Microspheres Compared With Sorafenib in Locally Advanced and Inoperable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The SARAH (Sorafenib Versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01482442) did not show a significant survival benefit for patients treated with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) compared with continuous oral sorafenib. The improved toxicity profile of patients treated with TARE in the trial, however, could result in a quality of life benefit in economic evaluations. Our objective was to perform a cost-utility analysis of TARE versus sorafenib for locally advanced and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: This study used patient-level data of the SARAH trial regarding resource use, progression-free and overall survival, and quality of life for the within-trial period for the patients who received at least 1 dose of sorafenib or 1 treatment with TARE according to their randomization arm. Data were extrapolated by using a partitioned survival model that incorporated costs and health outcomes, measured in life-years and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). FINDINGS: The use of TARE resulted in an average loss of 0.036 life-year and a gain of 0.006 QALY compared with sorafenib. The aerage cost for the TARE arm was €17,179 (95% CI, 9,926-24,280) higher than the sorafenib arm, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €3,153,086/QALY. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis revealed a 50% risk that the TARE strategy was dominated. TARE was consistently dominated by sorafenib or had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio more than €450,000/QALY in all sensitivity analyses. IMPLICATIONS: This economic evaluation of SARAH found that using radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma was not a cost-effective option at the usually accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Cost-utility analysis of the anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis in a real-world based model.

BACKGROUND: Spending on drugs provided by the Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased substantially with the beginning of the supply of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD). This study aims to perform a cost-utility analysis of the most used biological drugs for the treatment of RA in Brazil. METHODS: a Markov model was used to carry out the cost-utility analysis. The data were obtained from a prospective cohort of RA patients using adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab in Brazil. The BPHS perspective was adopted and the time horizon was five years. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the uncertainty. RESULTS: golimumab was the most cost-effective drug. Etanercept was dominated by golimumab. Adalimumab presented an incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of $95,095.37 compared to golimumab in five years of follow-up. These results were confirmed by sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: the utility among adalimumab, etanercept, and golimumab was similar and the cost was the component that most impacted the economic model. Therefore, depending on the agreed price with the drug manufacturers, the incremental cost-utility ratio may vary among them.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of replacing the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in Brazil infants.

Brazil currently has a 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) pediatric national immunization program (NIP). However, in recent years, there has been significant progressive increases in pneumococcal disease attributed to serotypes 3, 6A, and 19A, which are covered by the 13-valent PCV (PCV13). We sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of switching from PCV10 to PCV13 for Brazilian infants from a payer perspective. A decision-analytic model was adapted to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of continuing PCV10 or switching to PCV13. The analysis estimated future costs ($BRL), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and health outcomes for PCV10 and PCV13 over 5 y. Input parameters were from published sources. Future serotype dynamics were predicted using Brazilian and global historical trends. Over 5 y, PCV13 could prevent 12,342 bacteremia, 15,330 meningitis, 170,191 hospitalized pneumonia, and 25,872 otitis media cases, avert 13,709 pneumococcal disease deaths, gain 20,317 QALYs, and save 172 million direct costs compared with PCV10. The use of PCV13 in the Brazilian NIP could reduce pneumococcal disease, improve population health, and save substantial health-care costs. Results are reliable even when considering uncertainty for possible serotype dynamics with different underlying assumptions.

[Economic evaluation in health: Cost-utility of the incorporation of total knee replacement to the Chilean Explicit Health-Guarantees regime]. / Evaluación económica en salud: costo-utilidad de la incorporación del reemplazo total de rodilla en la cobertura del régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is an important health condition due to its prevalence and functional deterioration, being the most common cause of disability in people over 65 years of age. The Chilean Explicit Health-Guarantees regime provides coverage for medical treatment in mild and moderate presentations, excluding surgical treatment in end-stage knee osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-utility of incorporating total knee replacement to the Explicit Health-Guarantees regime for over-65-years beneficiaries of the public insurance system, versus maintenance with medical treatment. METHODS: A Scoping review was coducted to identify model parameters and economic evaluation based in a 6 health states Markov Model, from the perspective of the public payer and lifetime horizon. The Incremental Cost-Utility Ratio (ICUR) was calculated, and deterministic and probabilistic uncertainty analysis were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were selected as reference sources. If the regime were to adopt the procedure, the implication would be a benefit of 9.8 Years of Life Adjusted by Quality (QALY) versus 2.4 QALY in the scenario without access to total knee replacement. The ICUR was $ -445 689 CLP/QALY (U$D -633.8/QALY), wherein the inclusion of total knee replacement to the regime becomes a dominant alternative versus the current scenario. Each quality-adjusted life-year gained by the surgery will save CLP 445 689. At a willingness to pay of CLP 502,596/QALY (U$D 714.7/QALY), access to surgery is cost-useful with a 99.9% certainty. CONCLUSION: Total knee replacement in patients older than 65 years is a dominant alternative. Access to this procedure in the Chilean Explicit Health-Guarantees regime in the public system is cost-useful at a threshold of 1 GDP per capita.

ANTECEDENTES: La osteoartritis destaca por su alta prevalencia y deterioro funcional, siendo la causa más común de incapacidad en mayores de 65 años. El régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud chileno otorga cobertura a tratamiento médico a las presentaciones leves y moderadas, excluyendo el manejo quirúrgico en la presentación severa. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el costo-utilidad de incorporar el reemplazo total de rodilla al régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud para asegurados del seguro público sobre 65 años en Chile, versus la mantención con manejo farmacológico. MÉTODOS: Revisión sistemática explortaria para identificar los parámetros del modelo y evaluaciones económicas basadas en un modelo de Markov de seis estados de salud, desde la perspectiva del pagador público y horizonte lifetime. Se calculó la razón de costo-utilidad incremental que condujo al análisis de incertidumbre determinístico y probabilístico. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 22 artículos como fuentes de referencia. Incorporar el procedimiento al alero del régimen, implicaría beneficiarse de 9,8 años de vida ajustados por calidad versus 2,4 en el escenario sin acceso a cirugía. La razón de costo-utilidad incremental es menos $445 689 pesos chilenos por años de vida ajustados por calidad (menos 633,8 dólares americanos por años de vida ajustados por calidad), siendo la incorporación de cirugía de reemplazo al régimen una alternativa dominante, versus el escenario de acceso insuficiente en otros regímenes de cobertura. Cada año de vida ajustado por calidad gracias a la cirugía ahorrará $445 689 pesos chilenos. A una voluntad de pago de $502 596 pesos chilenos por años de vida ajustados por calidad (714,7 dólares americanos por años de vida ajustados por calidad), la alternativa de acceso a reemplazo es costo-útil con 99,9% de certeza. CONCLUSIÓN: El reemplazo total de rodilla en mayores de 65 años es una alternativa dominante. El acceso a cirugía en el régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud para el sistema público es costo-útil a un umbral de un producto interno bruto per cápita.

Evaluación económica en salud: costo-utilidad de la incorporación del reemplazo total de rodilla en la cobertura del régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud en Chile / Economic evaluation in health: Cost-utility of the incorporation of total knee replacement to the Chilean Explicit Health-Guarantees regime

Antecedentes La osteoartritis destaca por su alta prevalencia y deterioro funcional, siendo la causa más común de incapacidad en mayores de 65 años. El régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud chileno otorga cobertura a tratamiento médico a las presentaciones leves y moderadas, excluyendo el manejo quirúrgico en la presentación severa. Objetivos Evaluar el costo-utilidad de incorporar el reemplazo total de rodilla al régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud para asegurados del seguro público sobre 65 años en Chile, versus la mantención con manejo farmacológico. Métodos Revisión sistemática explortaria para identificar los parámetros del modelo y evaluaciones económicas basadas en un modelo de Markov de seis estados de salud, desde la perspectiva del pagador público y horizonte lifetime. Se calculó la razón de costo-utilidad incremental que condujo al análisis de incertidumbre determinístico y probabilístico. Resultados Se seleccionaron 22 artículos como fuentes de referencia. Incorporar el procedimiento al alero del régimen, implicaría beneficiarse de 9,8 años de vida ajustados por calidad versus 2,4 en el escenario sin acceso a cirugía. La razón de costo-utilidad incremental es menos $445 689 pesos chilenos por años de vida ajustados por calidad (menos 633,8 dólares americanos por años de vida ajustados por calidad), siendo la incorporación de cirugía de reemplazo al régimen una alternativa dominante, versus el escenario de acceso insuficiente en otros regímenes de cobertura. Cada año de vida ajustado por calidad gracias a la cirugía ahorrará $445 689 pesos chilenos. A una voluntad de pago de $502 596 pesos chilenos por años de vida ajustados por calidad (714,7 dólares americanos por años de vida ajustados por calidad), la alternativa de acceso a reemplazo es costo-útil con 99,9% de certeza. Conclusión El reemplazo total de rodilla en mayores de 65 años es una alternativa dominante. El acceso a cirugía en el régimen de Garantías Explícitas en Salud para el sistema público es costo-útil a un umbral de un producto interno bruto per cápita.

Background Osteoarthritis is an important health condition due to its prevalence and functional deterioration, being the most common cause of disability in people over 65 years of age. The Chilean Explicit Health-Guarantees regime provides coverage for medical treatment in mild and moderate presentations, excluding surgical treatment in end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Objectives To evaluate the cost-utility of incorporating total knee replacement to the Explicit Health-Guarantees regime for over-65-years beneficiaries of the public insurance system, versus maintenance with medical treatment. Methods A Scoping review was coducted to identify model parameters and economic evaluation based in a 6 health states Markov Model, from the perspective of the public payer and lifetime horizon. The Incremental Cost-Utility Ratio (ICUR) was calculated, and deterministic and probabilistic uncertainty analysis were performed. Results Twenty-two articles were selected as reference sources. If the regime were to adopt the procedure, the implication would be a benefit of 9.8 Years of Life Adjusted by Quality (QALY) versus 2.4 QALY in the scenario without access to total knee replacement. The ICUR was $ -445 689 CLP/QALY (U$D -633.8/QALY), wherein the inclusion of total knee replacement to the regime becomes a dominant alternative versus the current scenario. Each quality-adjusted life-year gained by the surgery will save CLP 445 689. At a willingness to pay of CLP 502,596/QALY (U$D 714.7/QALY), access to surgery is cost-useful with a 99.9% certainty. Conclusion Total knee replacement in patients older than 65 years is a dominant alternative. Access to this procedure in the Chilean Explicit Health-Guarantees regime in the public system is cost-useful at a threshold of 1 GDP per capita.

Development of algorithms to estimate EQ-5D and derive health utilities from WHOQOL-HIV Bref: a mapping study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop and evaluate different families of applicable models available for utility mapping between World Health Organization Quality of Life for HIV-abbreviated version (WHOQOL-HIV Bref) and EQ-5D-3L and to propose an optimised algorithm to estimate health utilities of people living with HIV. METHODS: Estimation dataset was collected between July 2014 and September 2016 in a cross-sectional study including 1526 people living with HIV/Aids (PLWH) under care at the Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas-FIOCRUZ, in Brazil. Data of WHOQOL-HIV Bref and EQ-5D-3L questionnaires were collected. Fisher's exact tests were used for testing WHOQOL-HIV Bref response frequencies among groups of responses to each of the five EQ-5D-3L domains. Multiple correspondence analyses (MCA) were used to inspect the relationships between both instrument responses. Different families of applicable models available for utility mapping between WHOQOL-HIV Bref and EQ-5D-3L were adjusted for the prediction of disutility. RESULTS: Candidate models' performances using mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and root mean squared error (RMSE) were similarly good, which was evidenced by the overlapping of its 95% confidence intervals of the mean tenfold cross-validation or estimated generalisation errors. However, the Hurdle Logistic-Log-Normal model was better on average according to generalisation errors both in the prediction of Brazilian utility values (MAE = 0.1037, MSE = 0.0178, and RMSE = 0.1332) and for those of the UK (MAE = 0.1476, MSE = 0.0443, and RMSE = 0.2099). CONCLUSIONS: Mapping EQ-5D-3L responses or deriving health utilities directly from WHOQOL-HIV Bref responses can be a valid alternative for settings with no preference-based health utility data.

Custo-utilidade de terapias-alvo comparadas à dacarbazina para o tratamento de primeira linha do melanoma avançado não-cirúrgico e metastático no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of isolated and combined targeted therapy regimens compared to dacarbazine for first-line treatment of advanced and metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation. METHODS: A Markov model with three health states (no progression, progression and death), monthly duration cycle and 10-year time horizon was constructed to compare targeted therapy regimens (vemurafenib, dabrafenib, vemurafenib/cobimetinib and dabrafenib/trametinib) with dacarbazine chemotherapy under the Brazilian public health perspective. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mean cost was R$5662.50 ($1490.13) for dacarbazine, R$175 937.18 (46 299.26) for vemurafenib, R$167 461.70 ($44 068.87) for dabrafenib, R$425 901 ($112 079.21) for vemurafenib/cobimetinib and R$411 799.81 ($108 368.37) for dabrafenib/trametinib, whereas QALY was 0.91 for dacarbazine, 1.08 for vemurafenib, 1.12 for dabrafenib, 1.64 for vemurafenib/cobimetinib and 1.56 for dabrafenib/trametinib. The ICUR was estimated from R$572 165.76 ($150 569.94) to R$1 012 524.56 ($266 453.83) per patient, and the most impactful parameters were risk of progression and death, and treatment cost. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of targeted therapies in the Brazilian public health system would produce an additional expenditure of at least 19 times the national GDP per capita to increase in one year the quality-adjusted survival of each patient with advanced/metastatic BRAF-mutant melanoma.

Systematic review of health economic evaluation studies of dengue vaccines.

OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on economic evaluation of dengue vaccination to produce evidence to support a local cost-effectiveness study and to subsidize the decision to introduce a dengue vaccine in the Brazilian National Immunization Program. METHODS: We systematically searched multiple databases (MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED), HTA Database (via Centre for Reviews and Dissemination - CRD) and LILACS), selecting full HEEs of dengue vaccine. Two independent reviewers screened articles for relevance and extracted the data. The methodology for the quality reporting was assessed using CHEERS checklist. We performed a qualitative narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Thirteen studies conducted in Asian and Latin America countries were reviewed. All studies were favorable to the incorporation of the vaccine. However, the assumptions and values assumed for vaccine efficacy, safety and duration of protection, as well as the choice of the study population and the type of model used in the analyses, associated to an insufficient reporting of the methodological steps, affect the validity of the studies' results. The quality reporting appraisal showed that the majority (8/13) of the studies reported less than 55% of the CHEERS checklists' items. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review shows that the economic evaluation of dengue vaccination did not adhere to key recommended general methods for economic evaluation. The presented cost-effectiveness results should not be transferred to other countries. It is recommended to conduct studies with local epidemiological and cost data, as well as assumptions about vaccination that reflect the results observed in clinical trials.

Cost-utility analysis of germline BRCA1/2 testing in women with high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer in Spain.

PURPOSE: Germline mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes (gBRCA1/2m) are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC). The aim of this study was to estimate the efficiency of providing germline BRCA1/2 testing to high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer (HGEOC) patients without family history of OC or BC and the subsequent testing and management of their relatives with gBRCA1/2m in Spain. METHODS/PATIENTS: Incident HGEOC patients without family history of OC or BC who were gBRCA1/2m carriers and their relatives were simulated in a 50-year time horizon. The study compared two scenarios: BRCA1/2 testing vs no testing, using the perspective of the Spanish National Health Service. Cancer risk among gBRCA1/2m carriers was estimated based on their age and whether they had undergone risk-reducing surgeries. Direct healthcare costs and utilities of patients who developed EOC and BC were also included. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) with 5 thousand simulations was developed considering ± 25% of the base-case value. RESULTS: The BRCA1/2-testing scenario amounted to €13,437,897.43 while the no-testing scenario amounted to €12,053,291.17. It was estimated that the screening test improved the quality of life among the patients' relatives by 43.8 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) was €31,621.33/QALY in the base case. The PSA showed that 89.12% of the simulations were below the €50,000/QALY threshold. CONCLUSION: Providing this screening test to HGEOC patients and their relatives is cost-effective and it allows one to identify a target population with high risk of cancer to provide effective prevention strategies.