Cost-effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in parenteral nutrition therapy in hospitals: a discrete event simulation model

BACKGROUND & AIMS

A recent meta-analysis showed that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in parenteral nutrition (PN) regimens is associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in infection rate, and length of hospital stay (LOS) in medical and surgical patients admitted to the ICU and in surgical patients not admitted to the ICU. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of omega-3 fatty acids to standard PN regimens in four European countries (Italy, France, Germany and the UK) from the healthcare provider perspective.

METHODS

Using a discrete event simulation scheme, a patient-level simulation model was developed, based on outcomes from the Italian ICU patient population and published literature. Comparative efficacy data for PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids versus standard PN regimens was taken from the meta-analysis of published randomised clinical trials (n = 23 studies with a total of 1502 patients), and hospital LOS reduction was further processed in order to split the reduction in ICU stay from that in-ward stays for patients admitted to the ICU. Country-specific cost data was obtained for Italian, French, German and UK healthcare systems. Clinical outcomes included in the model were death rates, nosocomial infection rates, and ICU/hospital LOS. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to test the reliability of results.

RESULTS

PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids were more effective on average than standard PN both in ICU and in non-ICU patients in the four countries considered, reducing infection rates and overall LOS, and resulting in a lower total cost per patient. Overall costs for patients receiving PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids were between €14 144 to €19 825 per ICU patient and €5484 to €14 232 per non-ICU patient, translating into savings of between €3972 and €4897 per ICU patient and savings of between €561 and €1762 per non-ICU patient. Treatment costs were completely offset by the reduction in hospital stay costs and antibiotic costs. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the supplementation of PN regimens with omega-3 fatty acids would be cost effective in Italian, French, German and UK hospitals.

Stepping down from high dose fluticasone/salmeterol to extrafine BDP/F in asthma is cost-effective

BACKGROUND

GINA guideline recommends stepping down treatment of asthma patients where control is achieved. The aim of this analysis was to estimate the costs and health outcomes associated with step down of controlled patients on high dose fluticasone/salmeterol (FP/S 1000/100 μg daily) to either medium dose FP/S (500/100 μg) dry powder or extrafine beclometasone/formoterol (BDP/F 400/24 μg) pMDI in three European countries.

METHODS

A patient-level simulation Markov model was constructed to enable the simulation of three comparative arms (FP/S 1000/100, FP/S 500/100, BDP/F 400/24). Transition probabilities and healthcare resources consumption were derived from a multinational clinical trial comparing BDP/F 400/24 μg vs. FP/S 500/100 μg as step down therapy in asthma. Direct costs and health state utilities were sourced from public source and published literature. The analysis was conducted from a health system perspective, based on six months horizon. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

The ICER (Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio) associated with high dose dry powder FP/S 1000/100 μg vs. extrafine BDP/F 400/24 μg was above 70,000 GBP and 200,000 €/QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Years). An ICER of 29,000 GBP/QALY and above 30,000 €/QALY was associated with medium dose dry powder FP/S 500/100 μg vs. BDP/F 400/24 μg.

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that maintaining controlled patients on high dose FP/S is not cost-effective. Extrafine BDP/F 400/24 μg daily can be considered to be a cost-effective option in the countries analyzed to maintain control of asthmatic patients stepped down from high dose FP/S 1000/100 μg daily dry powder or suspension formulations.

Perceval Sutureless valves in isolated and concomitant AVR procedures: an economic model shows overall decrease of costs for isolated or combined operations

BACKGROUND: aortic valve replacement (AVR) the most common heart valve operation, accounts for a majority of all valve surgery performed in the elderly. The Perceval S (P) is a new aortic valve which is implanted without suturing, which causes a significant reduction in cross-clamping times (CCTs), and makes valve implantation easier and faster thanks to its collapsed profile. These features potentially allow the pool of operable patients to be expanded, even with minimally invasive surgery in isolated AVRs. AIM: to predict costs and outcomes of AVR procedures associated with this new valve in 4 European countries (Italy, France, Germany, and UK), as compared to traditional (T) valve implants, from the cost perspective of the hospital. METHOD: a probabilistic, patient-level simulation model was fully coded in WinBugs, permitting a seamless integration of parameter estimation and outcomes prediction, which was entirely based on the associated CCTs and on the surgical technique (mini-invasive [MiS] vs. full sternotomy [FS]), through published correlations. Unit cost were retrieved from official and literature sources for all countries. Besides the incorporated probabilistic sensitivity analysis, a series of deterministic sensitivity analyses was performed. RESULTS: the model predicts the use of the Perceval S valve to be associated with less complications and with savings (valve cost excluded), mainly related to a reduction in surgery costs and ICU/hospital bed days. These savings range from € 3,600 (Italy) to £ 3,900 (UK) for PFS in isolated AVRs and from about € 6,000 (Italy) to £ 6,700 (UK) for PMiS in isolated AVRs, and for PFS in concomitants. Extensive sensitivity analyses confirm the robustness of such findings.CONCLUSIONS: the results of the present analysis indicate that the hospital acquisition cost difference between the new sutureless Perceval S valve and traditional valves is offset by important savings in other cost items.

n-3 fatty acid-enriched parenteral nutrition regimens in elective surgical and ICU patients: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies and a meta-analysis in surgical patients indicate that supplementing parenteral nutrition regimens with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is associated with improved laboratory and clinical outcomes in the setting of hyper-inflammatory conditions. Refined or synthetic fish oils are commonly used as a source of EPA and DHA. The objective of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate n-3 PUFA-enriched parenteral nutrition regimens in elective surgical and intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODS

Medline was searched for randomized controlled trials comparing n-3 PUFA-enriched lipid emulsions with standard non-enriched lipid emulsions (i.e. soybean oil, MCT/LCT or olive/soybean oil emulsions) in surgical and ICU patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Extracted data were pooled by means of both random and fixed effects models, and subgroup analyses were carried forward to compare findings in ICU versus non-ICU patients.

RESULTS

A total of 23 studies (n = 1502 patients: n = 762 admitted to the ICU) were included. No statistically significant difference in mortality rate was found between patients receiving n-3 PUFA-enriched lipid emulsions and those receiving standard lipid emulsions (RR = 0.89; 0.59, 1.33), possibly reflecting a relatively low underlying mortality risk. However, n-3 PUFA-enriched emulsions are associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in the infection rate (RR = 0.61; 0.45, 0.84) and the lengths of stay, both in the ICU (-1.92; -3.27, -0.58) and in hospital overall (-3.29; -5.13, -1.45). Other beneficial effects included reduced markers of inflammation, improved lung gas exchange, liver function, antioxidant status and fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids, and a trend towards less impairment of kidney function.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm and extend previous findings, indicating that n-3 PUFAs-enriched parenteral nutrition regimens are safe and effective in reducing the infection rate and hospital/ICU stay in surgical and ICU patients.

A 36-month study on the cost/utility of add-on omalizumab in persistent difficult-to-treat atopic asthma in Italy

OBJECTIVE

Omalizumab is a biological treatment for difficult-to-treat allergic asthma. Its mechanism of action relies on impeding the binding of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to specific cellular receptors, thus blocking the inflammatory cascade. At present, no long-term data are available on its cost/effectiveness. The aim of this study is to assess long-term clinical outcomes and to measure the cost/utility of long-term omalizumab use in difficult-to-treat allergic asthmatics.

METHODS

The clinical, economic, and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes of 36-month add-on omalizumab therapy were compared to equivalent outcomes for the year before the therapy's introduction in a cohort (n = 16) of adults with severe uncontrolled atopic asthma on chronic high-dose antiasthma treatments. The variables considered were lung function, IgE levels, health status, Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, QoL (St. George Questionnaire), general practitioner (GP) and specialist visits, number and duration of hospitalizations, emergency room admission, and pharmacological treatment (both dose and duration). Derived calculated indicators were changes in health-related QoL, total healthcare costs, and incremental cost/utility. Data from the two periods were tested for statistically significant differences according to Student's t test and p < .05 was accepted.

RESULTS

Add-on omalizumab significantly and progressively improved asthma control and patient health-related QoL. Symptomatic drug and hospital care costs for these patients dropped significantly. A €450 increase in overall monthly costs was observed; however, when health benefits were considered, this cost increase translated into an incremental cost/utility ratio of €23,880 per quality-adjusted life year gained, which is quite a favorable and convenient figure in terms of the willingness to pay for health benefits in industrialized countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The 36-month add-on omalizumab therapy persistently improved all clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat asthmatic patients. Costs were also optimized and related to the extent of long-term health benefits achieved.

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of tiotropium bromide in the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Italy

The randomized, double-blind trial UPLIFT(®) demonstrated in 5,993 patients with moderate to very severe COPD that 4 years of tiotropium bromide therapy were associated with improvements in lung function, exacerbations, quality of life, and mortality compared with placebo. The pharmacoeconomic evaluation was performed through a probabilistic, patient-level simulation Markov model. Routine COPD care (RC) was compared with the inclusion of tiotropium bromide on it. The analysis was conducted over a lifetime horizon, with 1 year cycles and a 3.5% annual discount rate. Patients were characterized by gender, age, height, smoking status, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). FEV1 time trend was modeled according to the annual decline recorded in UPLIFT®. Mortality derived from that of the general Italian population was adjusted by smoking status and FEV1. Health utilities derived from published Italian observational studies and were varied in time according to UPLIFT® data. Exacerbation rates were derived from a published Italian observational prospective study. The cost perspective was that of the Italian National Health Service. Healthcare resource consumption for RC and exacerbations derived from Italian observational studies were valued according to current price and tariffs. Simulated patients in the tiotropium arm gained an average (95% CI) 0.50 (-1.63 to 6.27) Life Years (LYs) and 0.42 (-0.25 to 3.05) Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). The incremental lifetime cost resulted €3,357 (-€10,669 to €29,820). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was €6,698/LY and €7,916/QALY. In the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC), tiotropium had a 90% probability of being cost-effective for a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of € 10,000/QALY.

Cost-utility of add-on omalizumab in difficult-to-treat allergic asthma in Italy

OBJECTIVE

Omalizumab (OM), an innovative biological treatment for difficult asthma with perennial sensitisations, is an humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody that binds free circulating IgE; inhibits mast cell and basophil activation by combining free IgE, leads to IgE receptor down-regulation, thus blocking the inflammatory cascade.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To assess real-world cost-utility ofadd-on OM in Italy.

METHODS

changes in clinical and economical outcomes, and in quality of life (QoL) associated with add-on OM in adults (n=23) with severe dfficult asthma were compared with those recorded before OM in the same subjects. Variables were: lung function; IgE levels; health status; ACT score; QoL (SGRQ); n. GP and specialist visits; emergency visits; hospitalizations, and concomitant pharmacological treatments. Further indices were: changes in Health-related QoL; total health-care costs, and incremental cost/utility. Data were statistically compared (Student's T test), and p < 0.01 was accepted for statistical significance.

RESULTS

asthma clinical outcomes and patients' health-related quality of life improved significantly by adding OM, and both costs for drugs and hospital care dropped significantly (p < 0.01). The net economic effect was a 350 Euro increase in overall monthly costs; when related to health benefits, it corresponded to an incremental cost/utility ratio ofabout 26,000 Euro/QALY, which represents a quite favourable figure in terms of willingness to pay for health benefits in industrialised countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Omalizumab added to an optimised therapy significantly improves clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat, persistent allergic asthma. Costs also increased, but proved justified by health benefits achieved.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of LHRH agonists in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer in Italy

OBJECTIVES

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists represent one of the main cost factors in the management of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. We compared the cost-effectiveness of the five different 3-month formulations of LHRH agonists currently available for advanced prostate cancer in Italy, because these differ both in their capacity to suppress testosterone and in their acquisition costs.

METHODS

A probabilistic, patient-level simulation model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness, from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service (INHS), of leuprorelin 11.25 mg and 22.5 mg, triptorelin 11.25 mg, buserelin 9.9 mg, and goserelin 10.8 mg. The model incorporated testosterone-dependent progression-free and cancer-specific survival functions, LHRH agonist effectiveness data, and national costs and tariffs. Cox's proportional hazard models were used to compute total and progression-free survival functions based on clinical data from 129 patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated in an Italian center. Bayesian random effects models were employed to summarize evidence from published literature on testosterone suppression obtained with the available LHRH agonists.

RESULTS

Estimated total survival was ≈5 years, with a maximum difference between treatment options of ≈2 months. There was a mean difference of almost €2,500 in lifetime total costs between the least costly option (leuprorelin 22.5 mg) and the most expensive (goserelin). In the incremental cost-effectiveness analysis, leuprorelin 22.5 mg dominated all alternatives except buserelin, which had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio versus leuprorelin 22.5 mg of ≈€12,000 per life-month gained.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on modelling with meta-analysis of comparative survival data, leuprorelin 22.5 mg was the most cost-effective treatment of the available depot formulation LHRH agonists.

miR-210 is overexpressed in late stages of lung cancer and mediates mitochondrial alterations associated with modulation of HIF-1 activity

Following the identification of a set of hypoxia-regulated microRNAs (miRNAs), recent studies have highlighted the importance of miR-210 and of its transcriptional regulation by the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). We report here that miR-210 is overexpressed at late stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Expression of miR-210 in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells caused an alteration of cell viability associated with induction of caspase-3/7 activity. miR-210 induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the apparition of an aberrant mitochondrial phenotype. The expression profiling of cells overexpressing miR-210 revealed a specific signature characterized by enrichment for transcripts related to 'cell death' and 'mitochondrial dysfunction', including several subunits of the electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I and II. The transcript coding for one of these ETC components, SDHD, subunit D of succinate dehydrogenase complex (SDH), was validated as a bona fide miR-210 target. Moreover, SDHD knockdown mimicked miR-210-mediated mitochondrial alterations. Finally, miR-210-dependent targeting of SDHD was able to activate HIF-1, in line with previous studies linking loss-of-function SDH mutations to HIF-1 activation. miR-210 can thus regulate mitochondrial function by targeting key ETC component genes with important consequences on cell metabolism, survival and modulation of HIF-1 activity. These observations help explain contradictory data regarding miR-210 expression and its putative function in solid tumors.

Cost/effectiveness model of dabigatran in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in major orthopedic surgery: Adaptation for Italy

Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) represent a dangerous complication of major orthopedic surgery, especially in total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) procedures. Dabigatran etexilate (DBG), a direct and reversible thrombin inhibitor, has proven its non-inferiority with respect to enoxaparin 40mg once-daily, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), in the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing THR and TKR, in the RE-NOVATE and RE-MODEL trials, respectively. The objective of this analysis was to estimate cost/effectiveness and cost/utility of DBG compared to standard care for the prevention of VTE in Italy. A decision analytic, Markov-chain based model, originally developed for the UK, was adapted to the Italian context. The adaptation involved cost and demographic characteristics, clinical and utility data were not altered. Costs were taken from national observational studies, where available. Otherwise, current prices and tariffs were applied. Resource consumption was derived from practice guidelines or taken from the UK model. According to the prevalent national practice, extended prophylaxis is considered for both surgical procedures. The time horizon of the analysis was patients’ lifetimes. In order to consider different alternatives for drug dispensation and, consequently, National Health Service acquisition costs, alternative scenarios were developed. A further scenario, excluding LMWHs administration costs (“worst-case” scenario), was considered. Compared to LMWHs, DBG was associated with an expected increase of 0.019 life-years (LYs) and 0.014 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) per THR patient and of 0.024 LYs and 0.019 QALYs per TKR patient. DBG-related costs were lower than LMWH in both procedures, with a mean difference ranging from 89 to 116 € for THR, and 107 to 142 for TKR, depending on the LMWH product. Higher acquisition costs for DBG were completely offset and inverted by avoided administration expenses and, to a lesser extent, by savings in VTE management. The results of alternative scenarios confirm the dominance of DBG, with a net saving ranging between 119 €, when both drugs were obtained by auction, and 32 €, when the auction price was applied but DBG was dispensed through territorial pharmacies. The corresponding estimates for TKR were 148 and 54 €. In the “worst-case” scenario, DBG was no longer dominant, with a cost per LYs of 2,788 and 4,514 € and a cost per QALY gained of 3,619 and 5,926 €, for TKR and THR respectively. In conclusion, DBG dominated LMWHs, and was cost-saving and non-inferior in terms of efficacy and safety, except for in the “worst-case” scenario, in which the incremental cost/effectiveness ratio estimate was lower than commonly accepted thresholds in health economics.

The cost effectiveness and cost utility of valsartan in chronic heart failure therapy in Italy: a probabilistic markov model

To evaluate the cost effectiveness and cost utility of the use of valsartan in addition to standard therapy for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The study was conducted by means of a cohort simulation based on a probabilistic Markov model and projecting the 23-month follow-up results of the Val-HeFT (Valsartan Heart Failure Trial) study over a 10-year time horizon. The model included four states (New York Heart Association [NYHA] classes II, III, IV, and death), and had a cycle duration of 1 month. Probabilistic simulations were performed using the WinBUGS software for Bayesian analysis. The distribution of patient parameters (sex, age, use of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, and ACE inhibitors) in the simulated population were derived from the Italian heart failure patient population. Individual mortality data were derived from general mortality data by multiplying by a NYHA state-specific relative risk, while the probability of changing NYHA class was taken from the Val-HeFT data. Costs (2007 values) were calculated from the perspective of the Italian Health Service (IHS) and included costs for drugs and heart failure hospitalizations. Quality-of-life (QOL) weights were obtained by using published health-related QOL data for heart failure patients. A 3.5% annual discount rate was applied. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed on each parameter using original-source 95% confidence interval (CI) values, or a +/-10% range when 95% CI values were unavailable. For the 10-year time horizon, patients were estimated to live for an average of 2.3 years or 1.7 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), with slight increases in the valsartan group. In this group, hospitalizations for worsening heart failure were predicted to be significantly reduced and overall treatment costs per patient to decrease by about and U20AC;550. In subgroup analyses, valsartan lost dominance in patients in NYHA II, and in those receiving beta-adrenoceptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors; the mean incremental cost-utility ratio for these groups was 21 240, 129 200, and 36 500 and U20AC;/QALY, respectively. Valsartan in addition to standard therapy is predicted to dominate standard therapy alone in Italian patients with mild to severe heart failure and low LVEF. There are relevant differences among various patient subgroups, and valsartan is expected to be good value for money particularly in the treatment of the most severe and less intensively treated (no ACE inhibitors, no beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) heart failure patients.

Organization and estimated patient-borne costs of oral anticoagulation therapy in Italy: results from a survey

BACKGROUND

The management of the large patient population in Italy receiving long-term oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) poses organizational challenges that are traditionally approached with a centralized procedure, relying on hospital-based clinics and/or GPs. However, the availability of near-patient testing devices for the monitoring of OAT effectiveness (international normalized ratio measurement) allows for alternative or complementary management models, in which adequately trained patients perform the test themselves and possibly make decisions about dosing adjustments (patient self-monitoring). Patient self-monitoring has been proven to be effective and safe, and is economically attractive. However, in order to assess its potential economic impact in Italy, there is a need for data on current treatment patterns and relative costs, which are currently not available.

OBJECTIVE

To establish prevalent management patterns and costs incurred by Italian OAT patients.

METHODS

An ad hoc questionnaire was developed and administered to OAT patients with the support of the main Italian OAT patients association. Returned questionnaires were checked for consistency and valid data were summarized. Resources used were costed according to published prices.

RESULTS

A total of 4722 valid questionnaires were returned from all over Italy. The prevalent OAT management model in this sample relied on hospital-based anticoagulation clinics. Significant earning losses, transportation costs and other out-of-pocket expenses were incurred by patients, with an estimated mean overall monthly cost of approximately €30 (year 2008 value). There was a wide distribution of costs in this population, depending mainly on monitoring frequency, home-to-clinic distance and employment status.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to clarifying the organizational models of the Italian OAT population and delivers data on treatment patterns and costs that may be used when planning and evaluating alternative management options.

Economic evaluation of cinacalcet in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in Italy

BACKGROUND

Imbalanced levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) death and fracture in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). The calcimimetic agent cinacalcet can attenuate the mineral and hormonal imbalances characteristic of SHPT and may improve outcomes in such patients. Here we describe a cost-utility analysis of cinacalcet for SHPT in dialysis patients in Italy.

METHODS

We developed a probabilistic Markov model to simulate the effect of cinacalcet on Ca, P and PTH levels in dialysis patients with SHPT, based on data from a European, multicentre, open-label study. The model then correlated these levels with mortality and morbidity (CV events, fractures and parathyroidectomies) using data from the literature, and incorporated Italian data for dialysis, drugs and management of events according to the national cost structure. The simulation horizon was patient lifetime; simulated treatment alternatives were standard treatment (mainly vitamin D sterols and phosphate binders) and cinacalcet + standard treatment. A 3.5% discount rate was applied to life expectancy (LE), quality-adjusted life-expectancy (QALE), costs and times below the upper ranges (time in range [TiR]) recommended by the National Kidney Foundation - Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality initiative for PTH, Ca, P and Ca × P. Utilities were derived from the published literature and took into account dialysis and the impairment of quality of life due to the occurrence of CV events and fractures. Costs were evaluated in year 2009 values from the perspective of the Italian National Healthcare System.

RESULTS

Baseline results were calculated with 10,000 iterations. Compared with standard treatment alone, addition of cinacalcet was associated with a mean (SD) increase in TiR of 5.26 (6.59), 3.63 (6.87), 1.70 (6.66) and 2.68 (5.55) discounted patient-years for PTH, Ca and P, respectively, and combined PTH, Ca, P and Ca × P. Cinacalcet increased LE by 1.20 (3.75) life-years (LYs) and QALE by 0.89 (2.59) QALYs. When including the cost for dialysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was €50,012 per LY and €67,361 per QALY, while, if dialysis costs were not included, the ICER was €23,473 per LY and €31,616 per QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that cinacalcet treatment could be considered cost effective for treatment of SHPT in the Italian healthcare setting, but further investigations are needed to confirm these findings.

Solifenacin in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome in Italian patients: pharmacoeconomic evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pharmacoeconomic performance of treatment with solifenacin, a new antimuscarinic with selectivity for the bladder, when compared to tolterodine and placebo, in Italian patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

METHODS

The evaluation was performed using a Markov model. The time horizon of the simulation was 52 weeks, with 1-week cycles. The model simulated outcomes and costs of the treatment with solifenacin (5 mg/day), tolterodine ER (4 mg/day) and no treatment in a cohort representative of the Italian population with OAB. The analysis was conducted mainly from the perspective of the patient, since drugs for the treatment of OAB are not included in the Italian reimbursement list. A supplementary scenario explored the consequences of a hypothetical reimbursement decision by the Italian Health Service to reimburse half of the current retail price in incontinent and responding OAB patients only.

RESULTS

Both treatments produced a reduction in symptoms and improvement in patients' quality of life, with an cost increase of about euro 540-640/patient/year with solifenacin and euro 680-780/patient/year with tolterodine. In a cost/utility analysis, solifenacin dominated tolterodine as it resulted in both more effective and less costly treatment; the cost/utility ratio with respect to no treatment was in the range euro 7,600-18,600/Quality-adjusted life year. The overall expenditure of the hypothesised reimbursement decision was estimated to be about 23 million euros, with a cost/utility ratio of about euro 600-2,400/Quality-adjusted life year, indicating an efficient allocation of health resources.

CONCLUSIONS

While both tolterodine and solifenacin appear to be cost/effective in Italy, the latter has proven to be superior.

Economic evaluation of treatment with orlistat in Italian obese patients

The XENDOS study showed that behavioural and pharmacological therapy can decrease the risk of metabolic disorders in obese patients.

METHODS

A probabilistic Bayesian Markov model simulating the outcomes of orlistat treatment on the obese Italian population has been developed with the WinBUGS software. The model integrates an algorithm to estimate cardiovascular risk based on Framingham Heart Study equations. Analyses adopted the societal cost perspective, including direct medical costs borne by both the National Health Service and the patient, since orlistat is not included in the Italian reimbursement list.

RESULTS

The simulation on the Italian obese population estimated an average increase in quality-adjusted life expectancy, a reduction of cardiovascular events and new diabetes cases. The average incremental cost-utility ratio is euro75.3 (7.6-180.6) x 1000/QALY. The subgroup analysis showed that the benefits are relatively greater in older patients and in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Two hypotheses have been explored to estimate the impact of a potential reimbursement decision by the Italian NHS: (1) orlistat is given to every obese patient; (2) orlistat is given only to obese IGT patients with a previous glucose tolerance general screening program to assess their eligibility. The cost utility of the strategies are euro42.3 (-22.16-108.7) and euro10.16 (-60.4-38.76) x 1000/QALY, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Orlistat shows a good pharmacoeconomic profile and, in particular, the strategy of a screening programme to identify and treat the IGT subgroup has a cost-utility value of about euro10000/QALY. This value is lower than that of several therapeutic strategies commonly accepted and reimbursed in developed countries.

Auxological criteria for the diagnosis of GH-dependent short stature and prescription of rGH: problems and pitfalls

Recombinant growth hormone (rGH) administration is a cornerstone in the treatment of short stature secondary to GH deficit. Since its introduction in the 80s, the population of short patients with an indication to rGH therapy has clearly broadened, probably because of increased awareness by patients and physicians. Since rGH therapy is demanding for patients and expensive, the Italian National Health Service, like other third payers and regulatory authorities, regulates its prescription according to criteria listed in the Nota AIFA 39. This paper illustrates pitfalls and difficulties paediatricians may encounter when assessing short stature patients in order to decide upon the opportunity and possibility to initiate rGH therapy through the exposition of four emblematic, though hypothetical, clinical histories. In the discussion, the Authors highlight some of the most critical points in the formulation of the Nota 39, among which are the lack of clear reference values, neglecting of parental height targets and therapeutic responses, as well as some omissions in methodology specifications.