Cost-effectiveness analysis of the diagnosis of temporal arteritis.

Temporal arteritis (TA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis. Its diagnosis is based on criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (1990), and its treatment is high-dose corticosteroids. Our objective is to assess the cost of diagnosing TA, and secondarily, cost-effective analysis of different diagnostic strategies (clinical, biopsy, doppler ultrasound) and therapeutic strategies (corticosteroid suspension). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational, retrospective study has been carried out on patients with AT (2012-2021). Demographic data, comorbidities, signs and symptoms suggestive of AT were collected. AT was diagnosed with a score ≥ 3 according to American College of Rheumatoloy criteria (ACR-SCORE). The costs of diagnosis and treatment modification were analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients have been included, median age 77 (46-87) years. Headache, temporal pain and jaw claudication were significant for the diagnosis of TA. Patients with a halo on Doppler ultrasound and a positive biopsy have significantly elevated ESR and CRP compared to patients who do not. The cost of the AT diagnosis was 414.7 euros/patient. If we use ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-echodoppler it is 167.2 є/patient (savings 59.6%) and ACR-SCORE ≥ 3-biopsy 339.75 є/patient (savings 18%). If the corticosteroid was removed and a biopsy was performed, 21.6 є/patient (94.7% savings), if the corticosteroid was removed and Doppler ultrasound was performed, 10.6 є/patient (97.4% savings). CONCLUSIONS: Headache, temporary pain and jaw claudication are predictors of AT. Elevated ESR and CRP are predictors of positive biopsy and presence of halo on ultrasound. The uses of ACR-SCORE ≥ 3 with Doppler ultrasound or biopsy, and with corticosteroid suspension, are cost-effective.

Análisis coste/efectivo del diagnóstico de la arteritis de la temporal / Cost-effectiveness analysis of the diagnosis of temporal arteritis

La arteritis de la temporal (AT) es la forma más frecuente de vasculitis sistémica, su diagnóstico está basado en criterios propuestos por el Colegio Americano de Reumatología (1990), y su tratamiento son corticoides a dosis elevadas. Nuestro objetivo es valorar el gasto del diagnóstico de la AT, y secundariamente análisis coste/efectivo de distintas estrategias diagnósticas (clínica, biopsia, eco-Doppler) y terapéuticas (suspensión del corticoide). Material y método: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo de pacientes con AT (2012-2021). Se recogieron datos demográficos, comorbilidades, signos y síntomas sugestivos de AT. Se diagnosticó AT con una puntuación ≥3 según los criterios del American College of Reumatology (ACR-SCORE). Se analizaron los gastos del diagnóstico y modificación de tratamiento. Resultados: Setenta y cinco pacientes, mediana edad 77 (6-87) años. Cefalea, dolor temporal y claudicación mandibular fueron significativos para el diagnóstico de AT. Los pacientes con halo en eco-Doppler y biopsia positiva, presentaron elevación de VSG y PCR de forma significativa en comparación con los pacientes que no. El gasto diagnóstico de AT fue de 414,7€/paciente. Si empleamos ACR-SCORE≥3-eco-Doppler serían 167,2€/paciente (ahorro del 59,6%) y ACR-SCORE≥3-biopsia 339,75€/paciente (ahorro del 18%). Si se retiraba corticoide y se realizaba biopsia hubiesen sido 21,6€/paciente (ahorro del 94,7%), si se retiraba corticoide y se realizaba eco-Doppler hubiesen sido 10,6€/paciente (ahorro del 97,4%). Conclusiones: Cefalea, dolor temporal y claudicación mandibular son predictores de AT. La elevación de VSG y PCR son predictores de biopsia positiva y presencia de halo en la ecografía.El empleo de ACR-SCORE≥3 con eco-Doppler o con biopsia, y con suspensión del corticoide son coste/efectivos.(AU)

Temporal arteritis (TA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis. Its diagnosis is based on criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (1990), and its treatment is high-dose corticosteroids. Our objective is to assess the cost of diagnosing TA, and secondarily, cost-effective analysis of different diagnostic strategies (clinical, biopsy, Doppler ultrasound) and therapeutic strategies (corticosteroid suspension).Material and method: Observational, retrospective study has been carried out on patients with TA (2012–2021). Demographic data, comorbidities, signs and symptoms suggestive of TA were collected. TA was diagnosed with a score ≥3 according to American College of Rheumatoloy criteria (ACR-SCORE). The costs of diagnosis and treatment modification were analysed. Results: Seventy-five patients have been included, median age 77 (46-87) years. Headache, temporal pain and jaw claudication were significant for the diagnosis of TA. Patients with a halo on Doppler ultrasound and a positive biopsy have significantly elevated ESR and CRP compared to patients who do not.: The cost of the TA diagnosis was 414.7 euros/patient. If we use ACR-SCORE≥3-echodoppler it is 167.2 €/patient (savings 59.6%) and ACR-SCORE≥3-biopsy 339.75 €/patient (savings 18%). If the corticosteroid was removed and a biopsy was performed, 21.6 €/patient (94.7% savings), if the corticosteroid was removed and Doppler ultrasound was performed, 10.6 €/patient (97.4% savings).Conclusions: Headache, temporary pain and jaw claudication are predictors of TA. Elevated ESR and CRP are predictors of positive biopsy and presence of halo on ultrasound. The uses of ACR-SCORE≥3 with Doppler ultrasound or biopsy, and with corticosteroid suspension, are cost-effective.(AU)

Estudio coste-efectividad del diagnóstico de trombosis venosa profunda en el medio hospitalario / Cost-effectiveness study of deep venous thrombosis diagnosis at the hospital setting

Introducción y objetivos: la trombosis venosa profunda (tVP) supone una importante carga económica. nuestro objetivo primario es comparar dos estrategias diagnósticas en cuanto a costes y a efectividad: la prueba del dímero d a todos los pacientes con sospecha con condicionarla a la probabilidad clínica pretest. el secundario, analizar el coste del diagnóstico en nuestro centro y los factores asociados a su presentación. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo de los pacientes atendidos con sospecha de tVP de extremidad inferior entre mayo y octubre de 2019. Se analizaron las variables de la escala de Wells, el teP asociado, el dímero d, el resultado del eco Doppler y los costes (atención en urgencias, el reactivo del dímero d y la realización de un eco Doppler, obtenidos del Boletín oficial de la comunidad y de la unidad de cobros del hospital). el análisis estadístico se realizó con SPSS, pruebas de χ2 y el test exacto de Fisher. Resultados: se estudiaron 249 pacientes. 116 (46,59 %) presentaron tVP. La edad media fue de 70 años (21-95). aquellos con tVP presentaron con más frecuencia: sexo masculino (52,6 % frente a 39,8 %, p = 0,04), cáncer (29,3 % frente a 16,5 %, p = 0,016), dolor (80,2 % frente a 45,1 %, p < 0,001), edema (93,1 % frente a 57,1 %, p < 0,001), empastamiento (72,4 % frente a 14,3 %, p < 0,001), teP (25,9 % frente a 13,5 %, p = 0,014), menor diagnóstico alternativo (0,9 % frente a 62,4 %, p < 0,001) y menor obesidad (7,8 % frente a 18,8 %, p = 0,011). el gasto generado fue de 192,49 euros por paciente. Para el objetivo primario se analizaron a 144 pacientes (aquellos con dímero d). La estrategia 1 generó un gasto de 190,41 euros por paciente, con una sensibilidad del 100 % y una especificidad del 7,1 %; la estrategia 2, 188,51 euros por paciente, con una sensibilidad del 88,3 % y una especificidad del 78,5 %. ambas estrategias son un 1 % y un 2 % más económicas que el gasto generado, respectivamente...(AU)

Introduction and objective: deep venous thrombosis (dVt) is a significant economic burden. the study primaryendpoint is to compare two diagnostic strategies in terms of cost and effectiveness: d-dimer to all patients withsuspected dVt vs conditioning it to the pre-test clinical probability; the secondary endpoint is to analyze the costof dVt diagnosis in our center and the factors associated with its presentation. Material and methods: this was a prospective study of patients with suspected dVt of lower extremities con-ducted between may and october 2019. the variables of the Wells scale, associated Pte, d-dimer levels, dopplerechocardiography and costs (emergency care, d-dimer and doppler echocardiography obtained from the regionofficial Bulletin and the hospital billing unit) were analyzed. the statistical analysis was performed with SPSS, thechi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Results: a total of 249 patients were studied, 116 of whom (46.59 %) presented with dVt. the mean age was70 years (21-95). those with dVt were predominantly men (52.6 % vs 39.8 %; p = .04), had cancer (29.3 %vs 16.5 %, p = 0.016), pain (80.2 % vs 45.1 %; p < .001), edema (93.1 % vs 57.1 %, p < .001), slurring (72.4 % vs14.3 %; p < .001), Pte (25.9 % vs 13.5 %, p = .014), less alternative diagnosis (0.9 % vs 62.4 %; p = .001) and lessobesity (7.8 % vs 18.8 %; p = .011). the cost generated was € 192.49 per patient. Regarding the primary endpoint,144 patients (those with d-dimer) were analyzed. Strategy #1 resulted in a cost of €190.41 per patient with100 % sensitivity and 7.1 % specificity; strategy # 2, resulted in a cost of €188.51/patient, with 88.3 % and 78.5 %sensitivity and specificity rates, respectively. Both strategies are 1 % and 2 % cheaper than the cost generated.Conclusion: the application of diagnostic algorithms for suspected dVt is cost-effective, so its use should begeneralized.(AU)

Leiomiosarcoma de vena cava / Vena cava leiomyosarcoma

Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de un varón de 64 años con sospecha de leiomiosarcoma de vena cava inferior (VCI) tratado con radioterapia neoadyuvante previa a resección quirúrgica en bloque tumoral y de VCI con reconstrucción mediante injerto de PTFE anillado, seguido de quimioterapia. Discusión: el leiomiosarcoma de VCI es una patología maligna muy infrecuente, de mal pronóstico y que requiere un manejo multidisciplinar. Representan la localización más frecuente de los leiomiosarcomas venosos, tienen predilección por el sexo femenino y una edad media de presentación entre 50 y 60 años. El síntoma más frecuente es el dolor abdominal, aunque muchos son asintomáticos. La prueba diagnóstica de elección es la RM y el tratamiento se basa en la resección quirúrgica, no estando aún claramente definido el papel de la radio y quimioterapia.(AU)

Case report: we present the case of a 64-year-old man with suspected inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma (IVC) treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, tumor and IVC overall surgical resection with a ringshaped PTFE graft reconstruction, followed by chemotherapy. Discussion: IVC leiomyosarcoma is a very infrequent malignant disease, its prognosis is dark and requires multidisciplinary management. They represent the most frequent location of venous leiomyosarcomas, have a predilection for the female sex and a mean age of presentation between 50 and 60 years. The most frequent symptom is abdominal pain, although many are asymptomatic. The diagnostic test of choice is MRI and treatment is based on surgical resection, the role of radio and chemotherapy is not clearly defined yet.(AU)