Employment, Education, and Income for Canadians with Developmental Disability: Analysis from the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability.

This study assessed needs and outcomes for people with developmental disability (DD) to understand the socioeconomic status of this group prior to implementation of the Accessible Canada Act in June 2019. The 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) was used to analyze data for a sample of individuals with self-reported disability. Data related to employment, education, income, housing, caregivers, and use of government benefits is reported. Compared to the general Canadian public, persons with DD are less likely to: finish high-school or post-secondary education; participate in the labor force or be employed; and earn on average less/year in total income. To align with recent accessibility legislation, significant progress is needed to address disparities for people with DD.

Epidemiology and treatment utilization for Canadian patients with migraine: a literature review.

The objective of this narrative review was to identify real-world evidence regarding the burden of migraine in Canada. We conducted a literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for studies published between August 2010 and August 2020. Of the 3269 publications identified, 29 studies were included. Prevalence estimates varied widely across Canada, and mental health comorbidities were common. Individuals with migraine have a lower quality of life, detrimental impact on workforce productivity, and higher rates of health care resource utilization (HCRU), with HCRU and costs highest among those with chronic migraine. We found inconsistencies in care, including underutilization of medications such as triptans, and varied utilization of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Increased medication use was identified among those with chronic migraine, and only a small number of patients used migraine preventive medications. The burden of migraine in Canada is substantial. Reduced quality of life and workforce productivity, increased HCRU and costs, and underutilization of triptans and migraine preventive medications highlight an important need for more effective management of individuals with migraine.

Public preferences for safe consumption sites for opioid use: A discrete choice experiment.

BACKGROUND: Safe consumption sites provide people who use drugs with medical supervision and sterile paraphernalia for drug use. Although the presence of sites in neighborhoods can be controversial, few studies have assessed the preferences of individuals for attributes of safe consumption sites. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment was conducted to assess public preferences for safe consumption sites. Logit and mixed logit models were used to analyze data. Participants were recruited from Conjointly.com using a sample of the general population in Canada. The sample included adults only, was split approximately evenly by gender, and reflects census data for household income and geographic area. Attributes included: cost of the site to the healthcare system; effectiveness of the site in reducing overdose death; financial compensation to residents if a site opens in their neighborhood; if the site is located in the respondent's neighborhood; and if the site reduces improperly discarded needles. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 203 respondents. Respondents had negative preferences for sites that increased cost to the healthcare system. Conversely, they had positive preferences for sites that would reduce fatal overdoses, that could reduce improperly discarded needles, and sites that provided compensation to those impacted by the establishment of sites. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that there exist a set of attributes that influence respondents' preferences for safe consumption sites. By considering these attributes when designing sites and developing messaging for sites, decision-makers may develop sites that are potentially less controversial.

The transition to adult income supports for youth that received special education in British Columbia, Canada: A cohort study.

Youth in special education have complex needs that are supported across multiple systems. Our research investigates the use of adult income assistance, as one structure that supports youth as they transition to adulthood. We created a cohort of youth (5-22 years old) using linked administrative data from British Columbia government ministries from 1996 to 2018. Youth were grouped by their special education funding (most to least; Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Unfunded, and no special education). We investigated (1) youth characteristics and service use patterns, (2) which youth used income supports after the child-to-adult transition (19-22 years old), and what youth characteristics and service use patterns were associated with use, and (3) how much income support they used (CAD$). Of 174,527 youth, 254 (0.1%) were Level 1, 6020 (3.4%) were Level 2, 4409 (2.5%) were Level 3, 21,232 (12.2%) were Unfunded, and 142,612 (81.7%) were not in special education. Youth assigned higher funding levels, compared to lower levels, generally had increased service use, and in the transition to adult services were more likely to use income supports, and received more income support. An important exception was youth with serious behavioural/mental health special education funding (Level 3), who had increased service use for their level of funding, but received less income support due to a reliance on Temporary versus Disability Assistance. Youth that received an accredited diploma were less likely to use income supports. Factors related to the use of income supports are further described. This study highlights differences in access to income support when youth transition to adult services and considerations around equitable access to support.

Budget Impact Analysis of an Epigenetic Test Used for Diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from the Perspective of a Laboratory Budget Holder in Manitoba, Canada.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a condition that results from prenatal alcohol exposure. Though diagnosis is important for individuals with FASD to receive appropriate care, diagnosis can be difficult to obtain. Accurate diagnoses can be impeded because of an inability to confirm prenatal alcohol exposure. This is particularly problematic in instances when family cannot confirm prenatal alcohol exposure. DNA methylation testing represents a novel approach to identifying prenatal alcohol exposure via epigenetic biomarkers. The objective was to assess the impact on laboratory expenditures from adopting DNA methylation additively to the diagnostic workup for patients suspected of having FASD for whom prenatal alcohol exposure cannot be otherwise confirmed. METHODS: A budget impact model was developed that incorporates laboratory cost data, population data for Manitoba Canada, literature, and expert opinion. Probabilistic analysis was conducted for the primary analysis and deterministic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the sensitivity of the budget impact to changes in model parameters. The perspective of the present study is that of the laboratory budget holder at a centralized laboratory in Manitoba, Canada. RESULTS: Over a 5-year period, it was estimated that there would be 500 DNA methylation tests and the predicted budget impact to the laboratory budget holder was $207,574 (95% credible interval: 70,208-408,161) in Canadian dollars (CAD). Over a 10-year period, it was estimated that there would be 1017 DNA methylation tests and the predicted budget impact to the laboratory budget holder was CAD$439,470 (95% credible interval: 148,902-867,328). CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insight into the impact that DNA methylation testing would have on laboratory budgets if used in the diagnostic workup for FASD in individuals for whom prenatal alcohol exposure cannot be confirmed otherwise.

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Versus Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Model-Based Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Compared with hemiarthroplasty (HA), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) may provide greater cost and health-related benefits for patients with complex three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures. This study set out to compare RTSA versus HA for the incremental cost per incremental improvement in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) for a hypothetical cohort of patients with proximal humerus fractures. METHODS: Parameters and characteristics for a hypothetical cohort of elderly patients with proximal humerus fractures were collected through the literature. A cohort-level Markov decision model was constructed. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios representing the difference in cost divided by the difference in QALYs were calculated, and scenario, one-way, and probabilistic analysis were conducted. RESULTS: RTSA was associated with lower cost and greater effectiveness compared with HA. The predicted cost difference corresponded to a saving of $99,626 per 100 individuals treated, and the predicted difference in QALY was 16.8 per 100 individuals treated. Results were sensitive to the discount rate, the health-related quality of life assigned to health states, and the cost of the surgical procedures. In probabilistic analysis, 77.1% of iterations were cost-effective at a threshold willingness-to-pay for a QALY of $100,000 US dollars. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that RTSA may be a cost-effective alternative to HA for treating elderly patients requiring surgery for proximal humerus fractures. DATA AVAILABILITY: The model and corresponding code are available on request to the corresponding author. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE USING THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS GUIDANCE: Level III.

Protocol for a cost-utility analysis of neurostimulation and intensive camp-based therapy for children with perinatal stroke and hemiparesis based on a multicentre clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal stroke leads to cerebral palsy (CP) and lifelong disability for thousands of Canadian children. Hemiparesis, referring to impaired functionality in one side of the body, is a common complication of perinatal stroke. Standard long-term care for hemiparetic CP focuses on rehabilitation therapies. Early research suggests that patients with hemiparesis may benefit from adjunctive neuromodulation treatments such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS uses electric current to stimulate targeted areas of the brain non-invasively, potentially enhancing the effects of motor learning therapies. This protocol describes an economic evaluation to be conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the incremental cost of tDCS added to a camp-based therapy compared with camp-based therapy alone per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained in children with hemiparetic CP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Stimulation for Perinatal Stroke Optimising Recovery Trajectories (SPORT) trial is a multicentre RCT evaluating tDCS added to a 2-week camp-based therapy for children aged 6-18 years with perinatal ischaemic stroke and disabling hemiparetic CP affecting the upper limb. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, 1 week, 2 months and 6 months following intervention. Cost and quality of life data are collected at baseline and 6 months and results will be used to conduct a cost-utility analysis (CUA). The evaluation will be conducted from the perspectives of the public healthcare system and society. The CUA will be conducted over a 6-month time horizon. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for the SPORT trial and the associated economic evaluation has been given by the research ethics boards at each of the study sites. The findings of the economic evaluation will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed academic journal and submitted for presentation at conference. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03216837; Post-results.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy for treatment resistant depression: 18-Month follow-up of the Halifax depression trial.

BACKGROUND: Depressed patients with chronic and complex health issues commonly relapse; therefore, examining longer-term outcomes is an important consideration. For treatment resistant depression (TRD), the post-treatment efficacy of time-limited Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) has been demonstrated but longer-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness are unclear. METHOD: In this superiority trial, 60 patients referred to Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) were randomised to 2 groups (ISTDP=30 and CMHT=30). The primary outcome was Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAM-D) scores at 18 months. Secondary outcomes included Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression scores and dichotomous measure remission. A health economic evaluation examined mental health costs with quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). RESULTS: Statistically significant treatment differences in depression previously found at 6 months favouring ISTDP were maintained at 18-month follow-up. Group differences in depression were in the moderate to large range on both the observer rated (Cohen's d = .64) and self-report measures (Cohen's d = .70). At 18 months follow-up the remission rate in ISTDP patients was 40.0%, and 23.4% had discontinued antidepressants. Health economic analysis suggests that ISTDP was more cost-effective than CMHT at 18 months. Probabilistic analysis suggests that there is a 64.5% probability of ISTDP being cost-effective at a willingness to pay for a QALY of $25,000 compared to CMHT at 18 months. LIMITATIONS: Replication of these findings is necessary in larger samples and future cost analyses should also consider indirect costs. CONCLUSIONS: ISTDP demonstrates long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness in TRD.

The cost-effectiveness of screening tools used in the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a modelled analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is characterized by physical and neurological abnormalities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Though diagnosis may help improve patient outcomes, the diagnostic process can be costly. Subsequently, screening children suspected of FASD prior to diagnostic testing has been suggested, to avoid administering testing to children who are unlikely to receive a diagnosis. The present study set out to assess the cost-effectiveness of currently recommended FASD screening tools. METHODS: The screenings tools evaluated were chosen from Children's Healthcare Canada's National Screening Toolkit for Children and Youth Identified and Potentially Affected by FASD and include meconium testing of fatty acid ethyl esters (meconium testing) and the neurobehavioral screening tool (NST). An economic model was constructed to assess cost-effectiveness. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of findings. Costs reflect 2017 Canadian dollars and the perspective is the public healthcare system. RESULTS: Both screening tools evaluated resulted in reduced costs and fewer diagnosed years of life than a no screening strategy in which all children suspected of FASD receive diagnostic testing. The model predicts that screening newborns with meconium testing results in a reduced cost of $89,186 per 100 individuals screened and 38 fewer diagnosed years of life by age 18, corresponding to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $2359. Screening children with the NST resulted in a reduced cost of $183,895 per 100 individuals screened and 77 fewer diagnosed years of life by age 18, corresponding to an ICER of $2390. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that screening is associated with less use of healthcare recourses but also fewer years of life with an FASD diagnosis over a no screening strategy. Since diagnosis can be key to children receiving timely and appropriate health and educational services, cost-savings must be weighed against the fewer years of life with a diagnosis associated with screening.

Integrated Management Approach to Atrial Fibrillation Care: A Cost Utility Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a substantial burden on health care. Combined specialist and nurse-based AF clinics are associated with improved outcomes. However, Canadian data on the cost-effectiveness of this integrated management approach to AF care are lacking. METHODS: We evaluated health care costs and outcomes of 413 patients with newly-diagnosed AF in 3 emergency departments in Nova Scotia between January 1, 2011 and January 31, 2014. Using a before-after study design, patients were divided into usual care (228 patients) and intervention (185 patients) groups. The intervention was a nurse-run, physician-supervised AF clinic. Costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were compared between usual care and intervention. Costs were those incurred because of the clinical outcome, bleeding events, medications, and cardiovascular-related procedures. Probabilistic analysis was conducted to assess uncertainty. RESULTS: The AF clinic was associated with an average cost reduction of CAD$210.83 and an average improvement in QALY of 0.0007 per patient. The AF clinic was dominant over usual care despite higher operational and medication costs over 1 year. It provided greater cost-saving in approximately 66% of probabilistic analysis simulations and generated more QALYs in approximately 92% of simulations. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio < $50,000 was found in 68% of simulations. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides guidance regarding the cost-effectiveness of an integrated management approach compared with usual specialty care of AF in a Canadian setting. We recommend further study be undertaken that prospectively plans for economic evaluation before definitive assessments of cost-effectiveness can be made.

Efficacy of Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States-Recommended Methods of Preparation for Malignant Hyperthermia-Susceptible Patients Using Dräger Zeus Anesthesia Workstations and Associated Costs.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and cost of Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States-recommended methods for preparing Dräger Zeus anesthesia workstations (AWSs) for the malignant hyperthermia-susceptible patient. METHODS: We studied washout profiles of sevoflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane in 3 Zeus AWS following 3 preparation methods. AWS was primed with 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration anesthetic for 2 hours using 2 L/min fresh gas flow, 500 mL tidal volume, and 12/min respiratory rate. Two phases of washout were performed: high flow (10 L/min) until anesthetic concentration was <5 parts per million (ppm) for 20 minutes and then low flow (3 L/min) for 20 minutes to identify the rebound effect. Preparation methods are as follows: method 1 (M1), changing disposables (breathing circuit, soda lime, CO2 line, and water traps); method 2 (M2), M1 plus replacing the breathing system with an autoclaved one; and method 3 (M3), M1 plus mounting 2 activated charcoal filters on respiratory limbs. Primary outcomes are as follows: time to obtain anesthetic concentration <5 ppm in the high-flow phase, peak anesthetic concentrations in the low-flow phase, and for M3 only, peak anesthetic concentration after 70 minutes of low-flow phase, when activated charcoal filters are removed. Secondary outcomes are as follows: cost analysis of time and resources to obtain anesthetic concentration <5 ppm in each method and a vapor-free Zeus AWS. Sensitivity analyses were performed using alternative assumptions regarding the costs and the malignant hyperthermia-susceptible caseload per year. RESULTS: Primary outcomes were as follows: M3 instantaneously decreased anesthetic concentration to <1 ppm with minimal impact of low-flow phase. M1 (median, 88 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 69-112 minutes) was greater than M2 (median, 11 minutes; 95% CI, 9-15 minutes). Means of peak rebound anesthetic concentrations in M1, M2, and M3 were 15, 6, and 1 ppm, respectively (P < .001). Anesthetic concentration increased 33-fold (95% CI, 21-50) after removing charcoal filters (from 0.7 to 20 ppm). The choice of anesthetic agents did not impact the results. Secondary outcomes were as follows: M3 was the lowest cost when the cost of lost operating room (OR) time due to washout was included, and M1 was the lowest cost when it was not included. When the cost of lost OR time due to washout was considered the estimated cost/case of M3 was US $360 (M1, US $2670; M2, US $969; and a "vapor-free" Zeus AWS was US $930). The OR time and equipment costs represent the largest differentiators among the methods. CONCLUSIONS: Institutions in which demand for OR time has exceeded capacity should consider M3, and institutions with surplus OR capacity should consider M1.

Distance-Delivered Parent Training for Childhood Disruptive Behavior (Strongest Families™): a Randomized Controlled Trial and Economic Analysis.

Disruptive behavior disorders are prevalent in youth, yet most children with disruptive behavior do not have access to timely, effective treatment. Distance-delivered service (e.g., via telephone, Internet) can overcome several barriers to care. This study tested the effectiveness of a 12-week parent training program, Strongest Families™ Parenting the Active Child, delivered via written material, skill-based videos, and telephone coaching sessions, as compared to usual care in reducing child externalizing behavior. Participants were 172 primary caregivers of a 6- to 12-year-old (29% girls; M age = 8.5 years) recruited from community children's mental health clinics. Participants were randomized to either Strongest Families™ or usual care and completed measures of child externalizing behavior, parenting practices, parent distress, and intervention services consumed at baseline and 5-, 10-, 16-, and 22-months post-baseline. Growth curve analysis showed significant reductions in externalizing behavior in both conditions over time. Improvements were significantly greater at 10 months in the Strongest Families™ condition (d = 0.43). At 22 months, however, the differences were not significant and small in magnitude (d = -0.05). The intervention decreased inconsistent discipline significantly more than usual care. Parents in both conditions showed significant reductions in distress. We also conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to assess the value for money of the Strongest Families™ program versus usual care. Distance parent training is a promising way to increase access to, and reduce costs associated with, mental health care for families with a child with disruptive behavior.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Vitamin K Antagonists for Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in the Outpatient Setting: Comparative Economic Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: To date, there have been few economic evaluations, from a Canadian perspective, of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with acute unprovoked VTE. As a result, there is a lack of consensus about which treatment strategy should be adopted in the clinical setting. OBJECTIVES: To assess the cost-effectiveness of currently approved anti-coagulant options, in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, for the prevention of recurrent VTE in patients with unprovoked events managed on an outpatient basis. METHODS: Microsoft Excel was used to develop a Markov model. Model parameters were determined using published literature, local hospital data, expert opinion, and chart review. The analysis considered the costs associated with pharmaceuticals, laboratory testing, hematologist fees, and treatment of recurrent VTE and major bleeding events. Effectiveness was measured in terms of QALYs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated. RESULTS: For treatment lasting 3 months, apixaban represented the most cost-effective DOAC relative to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) + vitamin K antagonist, with an ICER of $7379.66. For 6 months of treatment, apixaban again represented the most cost-effective treatment, with an ICER of $84.08 per QALY gained, and this drug dominated all the other strategies at 12 months. For lifetime treatment, DOACs were unlikely to be cost-effective, given a maximum willingness to pay of $50 000 to $100 000 per QALY. In a probabilistic sensitivity analysis at 6 months, 46.4% of iterations resulted in apixaban having lower costs and better outcomes than LMWH + vitamin K antagonist, and 78.6% of iterations resulted in an ICER below $100 000. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that apixaban is likely cost-effective for treatment durations of 3, 6, and 12 months. However, for indefinite treatment, DOACs were unlikely to be cost-effective.

CONTEXTE: À ce jour, on a réalisé peu d'évaluations économiques, d'un point de vue canadien, sur les anticoagulants oraux directs (AOD) utilisés dans la prévention de la thromboembolie veineuse (TEV) récurrente chez les patients atteints de TEV idiopathique aiguë. Pour cette raison, aucun consensus n'a été établi quant à la stratégie thérapeutique à adopter en milieu clinique. OBJECTIF: Évaluer le rapport coût-efficacité des anticoagulothérapies actuellement approuvées, en ce qui a trait au coût par année de vie pondérée par la qualité (QALY) gagnée, pour la prévention de la TEV récurrente chez les patients ayant subi des événements idiopathiques qui ont été traités en consultation externe. MÉTHODES: Le logiciel Excel de Microsoft a servi à créer un modèle de Markov. Les paramètres du modèle ont été établis à l'aide de la littérature, de données de l'hôpital local, d'opinions d'experts et d'une analyse de dossiers médicaux. L'analyse prenait en compte les coûts associés aux médicaments, aux examens de laboratoire, aux honoraires d'hématologues et au traitement de la TEV récurrente et d'hémorragies importantes. L'efficacité était mesurée en nombre de QALY et les rapports coût-efficacité différentiels ont été calculés. RÉSULTATS: Pour un traitement de trois mois, l'apixaban représentait l'AOD offrant le meilleur rapport coût-efficacité comparativement à l'héparine de bas poids moléculaire (HBPM) + un antagoniste de la vitamine K; il présentait un rapport coût-efficacité différentiel de 7379,66 $. Pour un traitement de six mois, l'apixaban représentait à nouveau le traitement le plus efficace par rapport au coût; il présentait un rapport coût-efficacité différentiel de 84,08 $ par QALY gagnée. Ce médicament surclassait toutes les autres stratégies après douze mois de traitement. En ce qui concerne un traitement à vie, les AOD offraient probablement un moins bon rapport coût-efficacité, compte tenu d'une propension à payer maximale se situant entre 50 000 $ et 100 000 $ par QALY. Dans une analyse de sensibilité probabiliste au sixième mois de traitement, 46,4 % des itérations se traduisaient par des coûts moins élevés et de meilleurs résultats pour l'apixaban relativement à l'HBPM + un antagoniste de la vitamine K. De plus, 78,6 % des itérations se traduisaient par un rapport coût-efficacité différentiel de moins de 100 000 $. CONCLUSIONS: Ces résultats laissent croire que l'apixaban présente probablement un rapport coût-efficacité intéressant pour les traitements d'une durée de 3, 6 et 12 mois. Cependant, en ce qui concerne un traitement d'une durée indéterminée, les AOD ne sont sans doute pas avantageux.

Cost-utility analysis of magnetoencephalography used to inform intracranial electrode placement in patients with drug resistant epilepsy: a model based analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the cost-effectiveness of adding magnetoencephalography to a standard assessment for epilepsy surgery consisting of neuropsychology, magnetic resonance imagining, scalp electroencephalography, video electroencephalography and intracranial electroencephalography, in the capacity of informing intracranial electroencephalography electrode placement. METHODS: We used Microsoft Excel (2007) to construct a decision model. Discounted costs and quality adjusted life years are aggregated to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to assess robustness of findings. RESULTS: Our base case analysis yielded a result of $14 300 per quality adjusted life year gained. A total of 82.7% of probabilistic sensitivity analysis iterations resulted in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios below $100 000 in 2014 Canadian dollars. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the inclusion of Magnetoencephalography in the assessment for epilepsy surgery in the capacity of informing intracranial electroencephalography electrode placement is likely not cost saving but does represent a reasonable allocation of resources from a value for money perspective.