Objective This study analyzed the medical expenditure and its influential factors, and compared the clinical effectiveness and medical expenditure of three major drugs. Methods We designed the cohort study to compare the difference of medical and pharmaceutical expenditures between patients with and without underlying diseases. Multi-linear regression was applied to analyze the influential factors. Incremental expenditure-effectiveness ratio was applied to study three clinically important drugs. Results The curing rate of non-critical patients was statistically significant than critical patients (73.68%, 99.38%, P=0.000) .The curing rate of non-critical patients without underlying diseases was statistically significant than those with underlying diseases in the cohort (96%, 99.66%, P=0.001 6). No significance was identified in the critical patients cohort. The medical expenditure of non-critical patients with and without underlying diseases were 7 879.22 and 7 172.23 RMB per capita, respectively. Accordingly, the medical expenditure in critical patients was 24 912.89 and 26 433.53 RMB per capita. No significance was identified in the two cohorts. Medical expenditure was positively correlated with age and disease severity, with its equation y=4585.71+79.04X1+17188.87X2 (X1: age, X2: disease severity). Regarding the clinical effectiveness and medical expenditure, no significance was identified in critical patients who administered small and medium dose of Methylprednisolone. The expenditure-effectiveness ratios of Ribavirin that was administered by non-critical patients without underlying dissuades were 6 107 and 4 225 RMB, respectively. Accordingly, the expenditure-effectiveness ratios of Thymosin were 11 651 and 6 107 RMB. Conclusions The curing rate of non-critical patients without underlying diseases was higher than the counterpart in the cohort. No influence of underlying diseases was found in the critical patient cohort. Medical expenditure was positively correlated with age and disease severity. Small-and-medium dose of Methylprednisolone might not influence the curing rate and medical expenditure in critical patients. The effectiveness of Thymosin for non-critical patients with and without underlying diseases was not significantly different. However, additional 5 877 RMB occurred if Thymosin was administrated. Likewise, the effectiveness of Ribavirin for non-critical patients remains the same. However, additional 1 082 RMB was consumed in Ribavirin-administrated patient.
Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of chemotherapy in children with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma at low-, intermediate-, and high-risk. Methods From the perspective of health system, a decision-tree model was designed for cost-effectiveness analysis. The chemotherapy regimens of low-risk group included OEPA (vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, doxorubicin), AV-PC (doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, cyclophosphamide), and ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, dacarbazine); intermediate-risk group included OEPA, ABVE-PC (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide) and ABVD; high-risk group included OEPA, ABVE-PC, ABVD and BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone). The effectiveness and cost parameters were derived from the event-free survival rate reported in the literature, the drug linked reference price in Sichuan province, and treatment price of medical institutions. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to explore the impact of uncertainty. Results In the low-risk group, compared with AV-PC, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of OEPA and ABVD were 80 700 yuan and 108 799 yuan, respectively. In the intermediate-risk group, compared with OEPA, the ICER of ABVE-PC and ABVD were −17 737 yuan and −4 701 yuan respectively. In the high-risk group, compared with ABVE-PC, the ICER of OEPA, ABVD and BEACOPP were 149 262, 472 090 and 64 652 yuan, respectively. Univariate sensitivity analysis showed that in low-risk group, the most influential factors were cost of OEPA and cost of ABVD; in moderate-risk group were cost of ABVE-PC and cost of OEPA; in the high-risk group were cost of OEPA, cost of ABVD, and cost of BEACOPP, respectively. The results of probabilistic sensitivity analysis are basically consistent with those of the main analysis. Conclusion If China's per capita gross domestic product in 2023 (89 358 yuan) was used as the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold, OEPA in the low-risk group, OEPA in the intermediate-risk group and BEACOPP in the high-risk group are cost-effective.
Onehealth, an evidence-based decision-making software, is based on the United Nations' epidemiological reference modules to predict the effect of health services. Onehealth is a large database. The software is using activitybased costing, simulating investment costs of health system and changes of mortality in different coverage levels. By the cost of inputs/avoid deaths, it could quantify the cost of health services effectiveness and provide an intuitive basis for the rational allocation of health resources. This study introduces the relevant concepts, model structures and applications of Onehealth. We took the study of child nutrition interventions in Sudan for example and to present Onehealth tool's operating. As a new auxiliary and evidence-based decision-making software with scientific and rigorous theoretical approach, Onehealth has practical significance on the national or regional macro decision-making.
ObjectiveTo analyze the efficacy, hospitalization cost and cost-effect of different treatments for multiple myeloma, so as to provide references for the treatment and development medical insurance payment policy of multiple myeloma.MethodsA total of 60 cases of multiple myeloma patients who were treated in the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2017 were included. According to the treatment method, they were categorized into the traditional treatment group (n=37) and novel drug treatment group (n=23). The total response rate and hospitalisation expenses for patients with medical insurance of the two groups were calculated and compared, and cost-effectiveness analysis was then performed.ResultsThe overall response rate in patients in traditional treatment group was 56.76% (21/37), and in novel drug treatment group was 82.61% (19/23) (χ2=4.366, P=0.039). The annual average drug fee, annual average novel drug fee, secondary average drug fee, secondary average novel drug fee, annual average total cost, and secondary average total cost of the medical insurance patients in the novel drug treatment group were significantly higher than those in the traditional treatment group (P<0.05). The annual average cost of personal and coordinated payment for the medical insurance patients in the novel drug treatment group were 172 229.53 yuan and 48 237.51 yuan, respectively, which were significantly higher than the traditional treatment group (P<0.01). The cost-effectiveness ratio of the traditional treatment group was 884.44 yuan/%, the novel drug treatment group was 2 821.80 yuan/%, the cost-effective incremental ratio was 7 075.75 yuan/%, the incremental cost-effective ratio was 7 075.75 yuan/%, and the sensitivity analysis was consistent with the results.ConclusionsThe total response rate of novel drug treatment is significantly higher than traditional treatment. However, novel drug treatment costs higher, and patient's economic burden is also higher. The traditional treatment is superior to novel drug treatment in cost-effectiveness analysis.
Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness of Baofukang and Xinfuning in the treatment of HPV infection, and to provide references for reasonable clinical prescription, pricing drugs and the cognition product value. Methods Decision tree model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of Baofukang and Xinfuning from the perspective of the cost payer. In the model, the effectiveness was mainly measured by the clearance rate of HPV based on meta-analysis. The cost data was mainly based on the published price data from the websites of the Development and Reform Commission, Bidding Center, the Health Department and so on. The single factor sensitivity analysis was performed based on the change of effectiveness and price. Results The effective rate of Baofukang treatment for 48 days was 61.89%, and the effective rate for 42 days was 63.05%, while Xinfuning’s effective rate for 30 days was 46.58%. The total cost were 668.61 yuan, 630.09 yuan and 850.83 yuan, respectively. Baofukang users had lower costs yet higher clearance rates of HPV compared to Xinfuning at different treatment time. In sensitivity analysis, the evaluation results would not been affected. Conclusion The current study suggests that Baofukang is more cost-effective than Xinfuning in the treatment of HPV infection.
Health economics analysis has become increasingly important in recent years. It is essential to master the use of relevant software to conduct research in health economics. TreeAge Pro software is widely used in the healthcare decision analysis. It can carry out decision analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation. With powerful functionlity and outstanding visualization, it can build Markov disease transition models to analyze Markov processes according to disease models and accomplish decision analysis with decision trees and influence diagrams. This paper introduces cost-effectiveness analysis based on Markov model with examples and explains the main graphs.
ObjectiveTo compare the cost-effectiveness of etanercept combined with methotrexate to methotrexate plus placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and to provide references for clinical practice.MethodsDecision tree model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the health care system by TreeAge Pro 2016 software. The cost-effectiveness of the two treatments were compared by incremental analysis, and the robustness of the results were analyzed by sensitivity analysis.ResultsThe cost of etanercept combined methotrexate group in one year duration was ¥212 692, the effective rate (ACR50) was 66.4%; the cost of methotrexate combined with placebo group in one year duration was ¥572, the effective rate (ACR50) was 40.6%. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of two groups was ¥818 000/person, and the sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust.ConclusionEtanercept combined methotrexate is significant more effective than methotrexat. But the cost of etanercept combined methotrexate is too high to afford and is not economical compared to methotrexate.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, cost and optimal dosing regimen of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) used in the lumbar spine arthrodesis. Methods We formulated the clinical questions according to the PICO principle. We searched the ACP Journal Club (1991 to February 2008), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2007) and PubMed (1990 to February 2008) as well as other relevant databases. The evidence retrieved was critically appraised. Results Current evidence showed that BMP was a satisfactory and safe behavior in lumbar arthrodesis. Its cost was equal to that of autogenous iliac bone graft. The types of BMP currently used in clinical practice are BMP-2 and BMP-7. Finished product of fixed composition ratio was recommended in anterior lumbar inter-body fusion, while in posterolateral fusion, 20mg of BMP-2 or 3.5mg of BMP-7 for each side was recommended, with proper carrier according to the place where it was used. Conclusion BMP may be introduced to China for lumbar spine arthrodesis. Before it is applied extensively, further large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. Meanwhile, more research is necessary to determine the proper dosage and preparation form for the dominant Chinese population.
ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and economy of febuxostat and allopurinol in the treatment of chronic gout, and to provide reference for clinical rational drug use.MethodsThe Markov model was established to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis for febuxostat and allopurinol serving as the front-line treated medicines. In view of the uncertainty of model parameters, single factor, probability sensitivity analysis and other methods were used to analyze the stability of the results.ResultsThe cost of the therapeutic schedule of allopurinol 300 mg was lower than febuxostat 40 mg, and it saved RMB 4 339.6 Yuan for each patients on average, while obtained 0.067 more QALY. Uncertainty analysis revealed that only those utility value which could not reach the standard influenced the final results in all included variable elements. When the aspiration payment value was zero, the percentage of therapeutic schedule for allopurinol 300 mg was 100. With the increase of aspiration payment value, the probability for febuxostat scheme becoming the superior one showed a very gradual growth. When the aspiration payment value reached 150 000, the probability still remained under 10%.ConclusionsAllopurinol is more economical than finasteride as the first choice in the treatment of chronic gout. Therefore, it is recommended that allopurinol should be used as the first-line drug for economical considerations.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the status of economic evaluation of liver cancer screening in China, so as to provide reference for further studies.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, CBM and VIP databases were searched to collect economic evaluation studies of liver cancer screening in China from inception to December, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and conducted descriptive analysis of basic characteristics, methods of economic evaluation and main results as well as quality and uniformity of reporting.ResultsA total of 5 studies were included. Among them, the starting age of screening were found to be 35 to 45 years old; α-fetoprotein (AFP) testing and ultrasound examination combined procedure and screening interval of every 6 months were mostly evaluated. The quality of the 5 studies was satisfactory, and the uniformity of reporting was relatively acceptable, with a median score of 78% (range: 60% ~ 78%). Two population-based studies reported cost per liver cancer detected (44 thousand and 575 thousand yuan). Three studies reported cost-effectiveness ratio(CER) based on life year saved (LYS) and quality adjusted life year (QALY). Among these results, only 1 study from mainland China reported CER based on LYS (1 775 yuan), and the calculated ratio of CER to local GDP per capita was estimated as 0.1, while 2 studies from Taiwan province reported 4 CERs, and the ratios of CER to local GDP per capita ranged from 1.0 to 2.2.ConclusionsInformation from liver cancer endemic areas such as Taiwan province indicates promising cost-effectiveness to conduct liver cancer screening in local general population, while data from mainland suggests that conducting liver cancer screening combining AFP and ultrasound in high-risk population will be cost-effective, however only supported by 1 regional study. This needs to be verified by further economic evaluations based on randomized controlled trials or cohort studies as well as health economic evaluations.