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.
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.
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.
Objective To investigate the clinical effectiveness of the total Flavones of Hippophae Rhamnoides L. (TFH) and compare its cost-effectiveness ratio with enalapril in patients with essential hypertension. Methods Among 3 971 staff members in two universities, 155 eligible patients with blood pressure (BP) ≥160/100 mmHg were screened and included in this study. By using a random number table, the patients were randomized to the two groups: TFH was given to the treatment group while enalapril in the control group. At the end of the six week, BP, total cost and cost-effectiveness ratio were measured in both TFH and enalapril groups. Results After six weeks, blood pressures in the TFH and enalapril groups decreased by 12.7±11.6/8.1±5.1 mmHg and 15.2±9.7/10.1±7.3 mmHg respectively, while the improvement rates of BP were 73.24% (52/71) and 74.65% (53/71) respectively. There were no differences between TFH and enalapril groups in lowering BP amplitude and total effectiveness rate. The incidence of side effect in TFH group was 11.27% (8/71), which was significantly lower than that of enalapril 29.6% (21/71). The total cost of TFH group was 9 294.6 RMB with the cost effectiveness ratio of 732/1 147 RMB per mmHg and 179 RMB per case. In the enalapril group, the total cost added up to 13 236 RMB with cost effectiveness ratio of 870/1 310 per mmHg and 250 RMB per case. Sensitivity analysis indicated that TFH was better than enalapril with respect to clinical economic value even when enalapril price dropped to 1.8 RMB for tablet (5 mg). Conclusion Compared with enalapril, TFH is an effective and economic drug in treating patients with hypertension.
Objective To compare the economic effectiveness of universal screening, high-risk population screening, and no screening strategies for thyroid disease prevention and control among pregnant women in China through cost-effectiveness analysis, providing evidence-based support for optimizing health policy decisions on prenatal thyroid disease screening. Methods Based on the characteristics of thyroid disorders during pregnancy, a combined decision tree and Markov model was developed to conduct a lifetime cost-effectiveness analysis across three strategies: no screening, high-risk population screening, and universal screening. Sensitivity analyses were performed on key parameters. Results Base-case analysis demonstrated that universal screening was the most cost-effective strategy when the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended payment threshold of 1×gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was used, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 20636.18 yuan per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared to no screening, followed by high-risk population screening (ICER=21071.71 yuan/QALY). The results of the sensitivity analysis showed a strong stability of the model. Conclusions Of the 3 screening programs for thyroid disease in pregnancy, universal screening is the most cost-effective when the WHO-recommended payment threshold of 1×GDP per capita is used.
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.
ObjectiveTo compare the cost-effectiveness between endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) treatment and laparotomy treatment for simple common bile duct stone or common bile duct stone combined with gallbladder benign lesions. MethodsA total of 596 patients with common bile stone received ERCP (ERCP group) and 173 received open choledocholithotomy (surgical group) in our hospital between January 2009 and December 2012. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The curing rate, postoperative complications, hospital stay, preoperational preparation and total cost were compared between the two groups of patients. Meanwhile, for common bile stone combined with gallbladder benign lesion, 29 patients received ERCP combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (ERCP+LC group), 38 received pure laparoscopy treatment (laparoscopy group) and 129 received open choledocholithotomy combined with cholecystectomy (surgery group). ResultsFor simple common bile stone patients, no significant difference was found in cure rate and post-operative complication between endoscopic and surgical treatment groups (P>0.05). However, total hospitalization expenses[(13.1±6.3) thousand yuan, (20.6±7.5) thousand yuan)], hospital stay[(8.91±4.95), (12.14±5.15) days] and preoperative preparation time[(3.77±3.09), (5.13±3.99) days] were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). For patients with common bile stone combined with gallbladder benign lesion, no significant discrepancy was detected among the three groups in curing rate and post-operative complications (P>0.05). Significant differences were detected between ERCP+LC group and surgical group in terms of total hospitalization expense[(18.9±4.6) thousand yuan, (23.2±8.9) thousand yuan] hospital stay[(9.00±3.74), (12.47±4.50) days] and preoperative preparation time[(3.24±1.83), (5.15±2.98) days]. No significant difference was found in total hospitalization expense and hospital stay, while significant difference was detected in preoperative preparation time between ERCP+LC group and simple LC group. ConclusionFor patients with simple common bile stone, ERCP is equivalent to surgery in the curing rate, and has more advantages such as less cost, shorter length of hospital stay, and lower preoperative preparation time. For the treatment of common bile duct stone with gallbladder benign disease, ERCP combined with LC also has more advantages than traditional surgery.