Objective To retrospectively compare short-term outcomes and health economics of PHS versus UHS for inguinal hernia repair. Methods We included 105 patients suffering from reducible inguinal hernia hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University from September, 2007 and September, 2012. The referred hernia types involved direct and indirect hernia (unilateral and bilateral). Based on different repair materials, the patients were divided into two groups, PHS group (n=53) and UHS group (n=52). Outcome parameters for comparison included incidences of seroma and scrotum edema, hospital duration, costs, etc. Results There were no differences in age, sex, hernia type, incidences of seroma and scrotum edema after surgery, hospital duration and costs between the two groups. However, the patients in the PHS group spent less money than those in the UHS group regarding the costs of materials and hospitalization, with significant differences. Conclusion For inguinal hernia repair, PHS and UHS are alike in reducing short-term complications, but PHS can significantly reduce patients’ economic burden due to less costs.
Objective From the viewpoint of health economics, to analyse the cost-utility of Coflex interspinous dynamic reconstruction and 360° fusion in the treatment of single level lumbar degenerative disease, so as to provide references to doctors and patients for making the best solution. Methods From October 2008 to November 2010, a prospective non-randomized controlled study was carried out on the patients diagnosed as L4-L5 degenerative lumbar spinal disorders, of whom Group A were treated by posterior decompression combined with Coflex interspinous dynamic reconstruction and Group B accepted lumbar 360° fusion treatment. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to survey the life quality of patients and to calculate the quality-adjusted life year (QALY); meanwhile, the costs of the treatment were collected to compare the cost-utility ratio between the two groups. Results A total of 60 patients were included, among whom 29 patients including 20 males and 9 females were in Group A, and the other 31 patients including 16 males and 15 females were in Group B; and the mean time of follow-up was 16.4 months (12-23 months). The average age of Group A and Group B was 45.1 years (21-67 years) and 56.2 years (32-86 years), respectively; the medical costs were 51 509.9±2 422.9 yuan and 57 409.7±9 072.9 yuan, respectively; the life quality compared with that of pre-operation improved by 42.60% and 42.82%, respectively; the cost-utility ratios were 69165.6±4716.0 yuan/QALY and 77 976.7±12 757.4 yuan/QALY, respectively. For each increase of one QALY, Group A could save 12.74% of the cost compared with Group B. Conclusion Coflex interspinous dynamic reconstruction has the equal short-term effects to lumbar 360° fusion in the treatment of L4-L5 degenerative lumbar spinal disorders, but it has lower costs than the latter, and is more in line with the requirements of health economics.
Based on the principles and methods of systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials, systematic review of economic analyses can integrate information from multiple economic studies which focus on the same clinical questions. It can also provide important insights by systematically examining how differences among studies lead to different results. Generally, there are seven steps to conduct such a review: 1) formulating questions; 2) establishing eligibility criteria; 3) searching and selecting eligible economic analyses; 4) assessing the validity of economic analyses; 5) acquiring data; 6) analyzing and synthesizing data; and 7) presenting results. Owing to the specificity of economic analyses, many methodological challenges exist, including the varieties of economic models, analytic perspectives, time horizons, and uncertainty and sensitivity analysis among different economic analyses. This may cause difficulties for critical assessment of the economic analyses.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility, safety, cost, and patient satisfaction of ambulatory laparo-scopic cholecystectomy(ALC). MethodsThe clinical data of patients who divided into ALC group(678 cases) and in-patient laparoscopic cholecystectomy(IPLC) group(1 534 cases) in our hospital from April 2011 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The operative time, conversion rate, complication rate, hospitalization time, cost of hospi-talization, rehospitalization rate, and patient satisfaction were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsThere were no significant differences of the operative time, postoperative complication rate, and rehospitalization rate between the 2 groups(P > 0.05). The conversion rate(0.44%), and hospitalization time[(1.2±0.5)d] of the ALC group were significantly lower or shorter than those of IPLC group[3.19%, (4.8±1.3) d], P < 0.05. The direct, indirect health care costs, and the total costs of the ALC group were (6 555.6±738.7), (230.0±48.0), and (8 856.0±636.0) yuan, respec-tively; and lower than those of the IPLC group[(7 863.71, 014.6), (973.0±136.5), and(8 856.0±636.0)yuan], P < 0.05. ConclusionALC is safe and feasible, and could shorten the hospitalization time, lower the medical cost, speed up the bed turnover, and increase the efficiency in the use of health resource.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of health economics of census versus high-risk population screening for tuberculosis in Mianyan city, in order to provide references for the selection of suitable tuberculosis screening method in western region of China. MethodsWe included active tuberculosis patients by residents health screening of 21 villages and towns in Mianyan city from June 2013 to March 2013. Relevant data was analyzed by referencing the National Assessment of Tuberculosis Control Program in 2001-2010. Results184047 residents were screened by tuberculosis census and 128 active tuberculosis patients were diagnosed while 61045 residents were screened by high-risk population screening and 76 active tuberculosis patients were diagnosed. The cost-utility ratio and benefit-cost ratio of tuberculosis census were 6174.17 and 3.84, respectively. The cost-utility ratio and benefit-cost ratio of high risk population screening were 3106.16 and 7.62, respectively. ConclusionHigh-risk population screening has higher cost-utility ratio and benefit-cost ratio than tuberculosis census with higher missed diagnosis. Benefits and harms of tuberculosis detection rate and cost should be fully balanced before tuberculosis screening method were chosen in western underdeveloped region of China.
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.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized individuals, associated with adverse outcomes and increased cost. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is used to treat critically ill patients with AKI, of which the cost in acute phase is higher than that of intermittent renal replacement therapy (IRRT). However, if treatment for subsequent chronic kidney disease or dialysis dependency following AKI is also considered, CRRT might be more cost-effective than IRRT. In this editorial, the cost and health economic evaluation of CRRT for critically ill patients is discussed.
ObjectiveTo analyze the cost and performance of five methods for detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), including PCR (method A), Carba NP test (method B), ultraviolet spectrophotometry (method C), modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM, method D), and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP, method E).MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM databases were searched using the computer regarding literature on detection of CPE with the same or similar designs, same objectives, and independent results. The search was limited between May 2009 and May 2019. Data on the cost and detection performance of all five methods were extracted, and the four special indexes for laboratory tests, such as sensitivity, specificity, simplicity, and rapidity in the utility were quantified as specific values; subsequently, the cost-effective analysis (CEA), cost-utility analysis (CUA), and multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) in the detection economic analysis were used to conduct health economics evaluation of five detection methods for CPE.ResultsThe cost of methods A, B, C, D and E were 210.00 yuan, 22.00 yuan, 10.50 yuan, 6.00 yuan, and 60.00 yuan, respectively. The C/E of CEA for the above five methods were 210.00, 22.96, 10.66, 6.14, and 60.00, respectively. The C/U of CUA for the above five methods were 302.16, 32.13, 19.30, 11.13, and 80.00, respectively. The MAUT value of the above five methods were 42.56, 5.00, 2.54, 1.63, and 12.56, respectively.ConclusionIn terms of CEA, CUA, and MAUT, the method D was the highest in economic value, which usually can be used as a routine method for detecting CPE, but it needs a long procedure time; thus, the method E can be used for rapid detection when clinical severe infection occurred, which is superior in both cost-effectiveness and rapidity.
Objective To systematically review the current situation of health economics evaluation of gastric cancer screening. Methods The PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect the health economics evaluation studies on gastric cancer screening from January 1st, 1975 to September 30th, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Then, qualitative analysis was performed. Results A total of 44 studies were included. Most of the targeted populations of the study were high-risk groups in areas with a high incidence of gastric cancer. Screening methods such as endoscopy and Helicobacter pylori infection detection were mainly evaluated in those studies. According to the results, about 47% of the studies evaluated a single screening method. A total of 35 studies showed that they established models, however, only a few calibrated the models. Conclusion Most studies of gastric cancer screening reviews neither calibrate the results nor consider the effect of smoking on the progression of gastric cancer. Those evaluated screening programs are limited.
Objective To systematically review the health economic evaluations of using long-term rhythm-control antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) for patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Scopus, CNKI, SinoMed, WanFang Data, and official websites of well-established health technology assessment (HTA) institutions were electronically searched to present the economic evaluations of AAD and the recommendations of HTA institutions based on drug economy from inception to April 23rd, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and systematic review was then performed. Results A total of 19 studies were included, including 11 cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analysis studies and 8 official documents from HTA institutions. Only 5 (45.5%) economic evaluations were of relatively high quality, and English language studies were of higher quality than Chinese language studies ones. The included studies lacked elements that CHEERS 2022 concerns, such as health economics analysis plans, equity and distributional effects, engagement with patients and other stakeholders and the impact on the study. Dronedarone and amiodarone were the main focus of the evaluation, and the study results showed that dronedarone was cost-effective compared with other drugs in different study designs and national settings. However, there were differences between the recommendations of HTA agencies and the results of economic evaluation studies. Conclusion The completeness of health economics evaluations needs to be improved, along with the quality of clinical evidence in the field of AF-AAD for Chinese patients. Additionally, the informational value of drugs should be thoroughly investigated through budget impact analysis and distributional cost-effectiveness analysis to provide evidence of high-quality studies for decision-makers in China.