1
|
Wang Y, Hunt A, Danziger L, Drwiega EN. A Comparison of Currently Available and Investigational Fecal Microbiota Transplant Products for Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:436. [PMID: 38786164 PMCID: PMC11117328 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an intestinal infection that causes morbidity and mortality and places significant burden and cost on the healthcare system, especially in recurrent cases. Antibiotic overuse is well recognized as the leading cause of CDI in high-risk patients, and studies have demonstrated that even short-term antibiotic exposure can cause a large and persistent disturbance to human colonic microbiota. The recovery and sustainability of the gut microbiome after dysbiosis have been associated with fewer CDI recurrences. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) refers to the procedure in which human donor stool is processed and transplanted to a patient with CDI. It has been historically used in patients with pseudomembranous colitis even before the discovery of Clostridioides difficile. More recent research supports the use of FMT as part of the standard therapy of recurrent CDI. This article will be an in-depth review of five microbiome therapeutic products that are either under investigation or currently commercially available: Rebyota (fecal microbiota, live-jslm, formerly RBX2660), Vowst (fecal microbiota spores, live-brpk, formerly SER109), VE303, CP101, and RBX7455. Included in this review is a comparison of the products' composition and dosage forms, available safety and efficacy data, and investigational status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Aaron Hunt
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Larry Danziger
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Emily N. Drwiega
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lan KY, Le PH, Chiu CT, Chen CC, Yeh YM, Cheng HT, Kuo CJ, Chen CL, Chen YC, Yeh PJ, Chiu CH, Chang CJ. Fecal microbiota transplantation for treatment of refractory or recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection in Taiwan: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1229148. [PMID: 37849493 PMCID: PMC10577297 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1229148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Compared to antibiotic treatment, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a more effective treatment for refractory or recurrent CDI (rCDI). Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher incidence of CDI and worse outcomes. There has been no study from Asia to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of FMT for overall rCDI patients and rCDI patients with IBD. Methods We applied a Markov model with deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of different treatments for rCDI patients with a time horizon of 1 year from the payer's perspective. We compared the cost and clinical outcomes of FMT through colonoscopy to two antibiotics (vancomycin and fidaxomicin) using data from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Results Compared to vancomycin, FMT was cost-effective in overall rCDI patients as well as IBD patients with rCDI [USD 39356 (NT$1,101,971.98)/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained in overall patients; USD65490 (NT$1,833,719.14)/QALY gained in IBD patients]. Compared to fidaxomicin, FMT was only cost-effective in overall rCDI patients [USD20255 (NT$567,133.45)/QALY gained] but slightly increased QALY (0.0018 QALY gained) in IBD patients with rCDI. Conclusion FMT is cost-effective, compared to vancomycin or fidaxomicin, for the treatment of rCDI in most scenarios from the payers' perspective in Taiwan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yen Lan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Puo-Hsien Le
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Taiwan Association of the Study of Small Intestinal Disease, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Tang Chiu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Taiwan Association of the Study of Small Intestinal Disease, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chang Chen
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ming Yeh
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Tsai Cheng
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Kuo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Taiwan Association of the Study of Small Intestinal Disease, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chyi-Liang Chen
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chen
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Pai-Jui Yeh
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsun Chiu
- Chang Gung Microbiota Therapy Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Infectious Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Jen Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memory Hospital, Linko Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Research Service Center for Health Informatics, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Swart N, Sinha AM, Bentley A, Smethurst H, Spencer G, Ceder S, Wilcox MH. A cost-utility analysis of two Clostridioides difficile infection guideline treatment pathways. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:1291-1297. [PMID: 37356620 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Treatment guidelines are key drivers of prescribing practice in the management of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), but recommendations on best practice can vary. We conducted a cost-utility analysis to compare the treatment pathway recommended by the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) guideline with the pathway proposed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, from the perspective of the UK National Health Service. METHODS A decision tree modelling approach was adopted to reflect the treatment pathway for CDI as outlined in ESCMID and NICE guidelines. Patients experiencing a CDI infection received up to three treatments per infection to achieve a response and could subsequently experience up to two recurrences. Data on patient demographics, treatment response, recurrence, utilities, CDI-related mortality, and costs were taken from published literature. RESULTS The ESCMID treatment pathway was cost-effective versus the NICE treatment pathway at a threshold of £20 000 per quality-adjusted life year gained, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £4931. Cost-effectiveness was driven by differences in index infection recommendations (ESCMID recommends fidaxomicin as first-line treatment whereas NICE recommends vancomycin). The model results were robust to variations in inputs investigated in scenarios and sensitivity analyses, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the ESCMID guideline treatment strategy had a 100% likelihood of being cost-effective versus the NICE treatment strategy. DISCUSSION Compared with the NICE guideline, the ESCMID guideline recommendations for treating an index CDI represent the most cost-effective use of healthcare resources from the perspective of the UK National Health Service.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark H Wilcox
- Department of Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bromilow T, Holmes H, Coote L, Woods S, Pink J. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Antimicrobial Prescribing in the Treatment of Clostridioides Difficile Infection in England. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2023; 7:739-750. [PMID: 37306930 PMCID: PMC10471526 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-023-00420-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An economic model was developed with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 'Managing Common Infections' (MCI) Committee to evaluate the cost effectiveness of different antibiotic treatment sequences for treating Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in England. METHODS The model consisted of a 90-day decision tree followed by a lifetime cohort Markov model. Efficacy data were taken from a network meta-analysis and published literature, while cost, utility and mortality data were taken from published literature. A treatment sequence was defined as a first-line intervention or a different second-line intervention, and used constant third- and fourth-line interventions. The possible first- and second-line interventions were vancomycin, metronidazole, teicoplanin and fidaxomicin (standard and extended regimens). Total costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated and were used to run a fully incremental cost-effectiveness analysis. Threshold analysis was conducted around pricing. RESULTS Sequences including teicoplanin, fidaxomicin (extended regimen) and second-line metronidazole were excluded based on recommendations from the committee. The final pairwise comparison was between first-line vancomycin and second-line fidaxomicin (VAN-FID), and the reverse (FID-VAN). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for FID-VAN compared with VAN-FID was £156,000 per QALY gained, and FID-VAN had a 0.2% likelihood of being cost effective at a £20,000 threshold. CONCLUSION First-line vancomycin and second-line fidaxomicin was the most cost-effective treatment sequence at the NICE threshold for treating CDI in England. The main limitation of this study was that the initial cure and recurrence rates of each intervention were applied constantly across each line of treatment and each round of recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom Bromilow
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, Enterprise House, Innovation Way, Heslington, YO10 5NQ, York, UK.
| | - Hayden Holmes
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, Enterprise House, Innovation Way, Heslington, YO10 5NQ, York, UK
| | - Laura Coote
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, Enterprise House, Innovation Way, Heslington, YO10 5NQ, York, UK
| | - Sam Woods
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, Enterprise House, Innovation Way, Heslington, YO10 5NQ, York, UK
| | - Joshua Pink
- National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Centre for Guidelines, London, UK
- School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu Q, Zhang S, Quan J, Wu Z, Gu S, Chen Y, Zheng B, Lv L, Li L. The evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation vs vancomycin in a Clostridioides difficile infection model. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:6689-6700. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
6
|
Current clinical translation of microbiome medicines. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:281-292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
7
|
How to adapt an intestinal microbiota transplantation programme to reduce the risk of invasive multidrug-resistant infection. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 28:502-512. [PMID: 34826617 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vulnerable patients with intestinal colonization of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are recognized to be at increased risk of invasive MDRO-driven infection. Intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT, also called faecal microbiota transplant) is the transfer of healthy screened donor stool to an affected recipient, and recent interest has focused on its impact on the reduction of invasive MDRO infection. OBJECTIVES To describe how to establish a clinical IMT pathway for patients at risk of MDRO invasive infection, with special considerations for optimizing administration and assessment of endpoints. SOURCES Expert guidelines and peer-reviewed clinical studies are encompassed and discussed. CONTENT IMT is offered to patients with MDROs detected on rectal or stool screening and either at risk of MDRO invasive infection due to altered immune status or those with recurrent MDRO-mediated invasive disease and considered at risk of further disease. Donor screening should include pathogens with theoretical or demonstrated risk of transmission (including MDROs themselves and SARS-CoV-2) and take into consideration the relative immunosuppressed state of potential recipients. Delivery of IMT is timed for when the patient is free from active infection, but no additional antibiotics are indicated. If administered when future immunosuppression is to take place, IMT is aligned at least 2 weeks beforehand to ensure sufficient time for engraftment. Patients are followed up in terms of adverse effects from IMT and clinicians are advised to discuss with the IMT multidisciplinary team on choice of antibiotics if needed to take into consideration the impact upon the intestinal microbiome. Prevention of invasive disease is the primary measure of success, rather than using intestinal decolonization as a binary outcome. Repeat IMT is considered case by case. IMPLICATIONS Future research areas should include randomized studies that consider clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness, and better understanding of mechanisms to identify markers of treatment success and functional microbiome components that could be used therapeutically.
Collapse
|
8
|
Michailidis L, Currier AC, Le M, Flomenhoft DR. Adverse events of fecal microbiota transplantation: a meta-analysis of high-quality studies. Ann Gastroenterol 2021; 34:802-814. [PMID: 34815646 PMCID: PMC8596209 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2021.0655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown excellent efficacy in treating Clostridioides difficile infection, as well as promise in several other diseases. The heightened interest is accompanied by concerns over adverse events (AE) and safety. To further understand that in FMT, we performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of high-quality, prospective randomized controlled trials FMT. METHODS Studies were selected based on predefined exclusion criteria and were assessed for quality. Only prospective, randomized, controlled studies of high quality were included in the final analysis. Data were extracted on demographics, AE, indication, delivery method and follow-up duration. RESULTS Out of 334 articles reviewed, 9 high quality studies with 756 FMTs were selected for final analysis. The pooled rate of AE was 39.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19-0.642) as they were reported by 112 patients who received FMT. The SAE rate was 5.3% (95%CI 3.1-8.8%). The most common AE reported was abdominal pain, followed by diarrhea. The most common SAE was Clostridium difficile infection. Upper gastrointestinal tract delivery was associated with a higher rate of total AE, but not SAE. CONCLUSIONS Based on the selected studies, the AE rate of FMT is 39.3%, with most AE being mild and self-limiting. SAE were uncommon at 5.3%, and many were only possibly related to the FMT. Adherence to standardized reporting of AE as well as longitudinal studies and registries will help further clarify the safety of FMT in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lamprinos Michailidis
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
- Correspondence to: Lamprinos Michailidis, MD, University of Kentucky College of Medicine 800 Rose Street Room MN649, Lexington, KY 40536, USA, e-mail:
| | - Alden C. Currier
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Michelle Le
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Deborah R. Flomenhoft
- Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Popov J, Caputi V, Nandeesha N, Rodriguez DA, Pai N. Microbiota-Immune Interactions in Ulcerative Colitis and Colitis Associated Cancer and Emerging Microbiota-Based Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11365. [PMID: 34768795 PMCID: PMC8584103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the colonic mucosa. UC is a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease along with Crohn's disease and presents with varying extraintestinal manifestations. No single etiology for UC has been found, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is suspected. Research has focused on the role of intestinal dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of UC, including the effects of dysbiosis on the integrity of the colonic mucosal barrier, priming and regulation of the host immune system, chronic inflammation, and progression to tumorigenesis. Characterization of key microbial taxa and their implications in the pathogenesis of UC and colitis-associated cancer (CAC) may present opportunities for modulating intestinal inflammation through microbial-targeted therapies. In this review, we discuss the microbiota-immune crosstalk in UC and CAC, as well as the evolution of microbiota-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Popov
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada;
- College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
| | - Valentina Caputi
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Nandini Nandeesha
- School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland;
| | | | - Nikhil Pai
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada;
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
FECAL MICROBIOTES TRANSPLANTATION TECHNOLOGIES: MEDICAL, BIOTECHNOLOGICAL AND REGULATORY ASPECTS. BIOTECHNOLOGIA ACTA 2021. [DOI: 10.15407/biotech14.01.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a treatment method based on donor's fecal solution injection into the patient's gastrointestinal tract. FMT is effectively used in the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. There is also growing interest in the therapeutic application of the method to treat metabolic, autoimmune and other disorders that was not previously associated with intestinal microbiota. Despite the promising results of FMT use, the organizational and legal matters and that of the safety FMT application have not yet been resolved in the European and Ukrainian medical community. The purpose of this review was to summarize information on the FMT application and the regulatory aspects of its use. The analysis of the practical instructions provisions of for FMT applying in clinical practice was carried out, and the bioethical problems associated with the FMT use were investigated.
Collapse
|
11
|
Hammeken LH, Baunwall SMD, Hvas CL, Ehlers LH. Health economic evaluations comparing faecal microbiota transplantation with antibiotics for treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection: a systematic review. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2021; 11:3. [PMID: 33439367 PMCID: PMC7805077 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-021-00301-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is increasingly being used in the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). Health economic evaluations may support decision-making regarding the implementation of FMT in clinical practice. Previous reviews have highlighted several methodological concerns in published health economic evaluations examining FMT. However, the impact of these concerns on the conclusions of the studies remains unclear. AIMS To present an overview and assess the methodological quality of health economic evaluations that compare FMT with antibiotics for treatment of rCDI. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the degree to which any methodological concerns would affect conclusions about the cost-effectiveness of FMT. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review based on a search in seven medical databases up to 16 July 2020. We included research articles reporting on full health economic evaluations comparing FMT with antibiotic treatment for rCDI. General study characteristics and input estimates for costs, effectiveness and utilities were extracted from the articles. The quality of the studies was assessed by two authors using the Drummonds ten-point checklist. RESULTS We identified seven cost-utility analyses. All studies applied decision-analytic modelling and compared various FMT delivery methods with vancomycin, fidaxomicin, metronidazole or a combination of vancomycin and bezlotoxumab. The time horizons used in the analyses varied from 78 days to lifelong, and the perspectives differed between a societal, a healthcare system or a third-party payer perspective. The applied willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 20,000 to 68,000 Great Britain pound sterling (GBP) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). FMT was considered the most cost-effective alternative in all studies. In five of the health economic evaluations, FMT was both more effective and cost saving than antibiotic treatment alternatives. The quality of the articles varied, and we identified several methodological concerns. CONCLUSIONS Economic evaluations consistently reported that FMT is a cost-effective and potentially cost-saving treatment for rCDI. Based on a comparison with recent evidence within the area, the multiple methodological concerns seem not to change this conclusion. Therefore, implementing FMT for rCDI in clinical practice should be strongly considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianna Hede Hammeken
- Danish Center for Healthcare Improvements, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 5, DK-9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Simon Mark Dahl Baunwall
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christian Lodberg Hvas
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars Holger Ehlers
- Danish Center for Healthcare Improvements, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 5, DK-9220 Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gupta A, Ananthakrishnan AN. Economic burden and cost-effectiveness of therapies for Clostridiodes difficile infection: a narrative review. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2021; 14:17562848211018654. [PMID: 34104214 PMCID: PMC8170348 DOI: 10.1177/17562848211018654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. Disease complications as well as recurrent infections contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Over the past decades, there has been a rapid increase in the incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI), with a rise in the number of community-acquired cases. CDI has a profound economic impact on both the healthcare system and patients, secondary to recurrences, hospitalization, prolonged length of stay, cost of treatment, and indirect societal costs. With emergence of newer treatment options, the standard of care is shifting from metronidazole and vancomycin towards fidaxomicin and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which despite being more expensive, are more efficacious in preventing recurrences and hence overall are more beneficial forms of therapy per cost-effectiveness analyses. Data regarding preferred route of FMT, timing of FMT, and non-conventional therapies such as bezlotoxumab is scant. There is a need for further studies to elucidate the true attributable costs of CDI as well as continued cost-effectiveness research to reduce the economic burden associated with the disease and improve clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akshita Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General
Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|