Cost-utility analysis of total hip arthroplasties. Technology assessment of surgical procedures by mailed questionnaires

Cost-effectiveness analyses comparing cemented, cementless, hybrid and reverse hybrid fixation in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic overview and critical appraisal of the current evidence

Background: This study aims to present an overview and critical appraisal of all previous studies comparing costs and outcomes of the different modes of fixation in total hip arthroplasty (THA). A secondary aim is to provide conclusions regarding the most cost-effective mode of implant fixation per gender and age-specific population in THA, based on high quality studies.Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) comparing different modes of implant fixation in THA. Analysis of results was done with solely CEAs that had a high methodological quality.Results: A total of 12 relevant studies were identified and presented, of which 5 were considered to have the methodological rigor for inclusion in the analysis of results. These studies found that either cemented or hybrid fixation was the most cost-effective implant fixation mode for most age- and gender-specific subgroups.Conclusion: Currently available well performed CEAs generally support the use of cemented and hybrid fixation for all age-groups relevant for THA and both genders. However, these findings were mainly based on a single database and depended on assumptions made in the studies' methodology. Issues discussed in this paper have to be considered and future work is needed.

Comparative Study of the Function and Quality of Life of Patients Submitted to Total Knee Arthroplasty with Fixed and Mobile Tibial Platforms

Objective  To compare the function and quality of life of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with fixed tibial platform and mobile tibial platform.

Methods  We evaluated 240 patients with knee osteoarthritis, randomized into two groups - Group A consisted of 120 patients who underwent TKA with fixed tibial platform, and the B group, consisting of 120 patients who underwent mobile platform arthroplasty. Patients were accessed according to the function and quality of life by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and pain scores by visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 4 years and 8 years of surgery.

Results  Regarding the various domains of the SF-36, we observed that the average behavior of functional capacity scores, physical aspects, pain and emotional aspects in the patient groups were statistically different during follow-up. The other domains of quality of life showed no mean differences. Regarding the pain assessed by VAS and WOMAC pain scores, we can see that it showed a mean change in follow-up in both patient groups. However, at 2 years of follow-up, they were statistically worse in group A, equaling group B in the other moments.

Conclusion  After 2 years of follow-up, we observed that pain scores and VAS were lower in the fixed platform group. However, these differences did not remain in the mid-term, suggesting that the mobile tibial platform arthroplasty has a short-term advantage, and may help in the rehabilitation process.

Cost-utility analysis in orthopaedic trauma; what pays? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

As healthcare systems come under ever-increasing pressure to provide more care with fewer resources, emphasis is being placed on value-based systems that maximise quality and minimize cost. The aim of this study was to determine which interventions in fracture care have been demonstrated to be cost effective.

METHODS

A systemic review of cost-utility studies on the management of fractures from 1976 to 2015 was carried out using a search of the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) and MEDLINE.

RESULTS

20 studies were included with 15 (75%) studies assessing interventions in lower limb trauma and 8 (25%) studies assessing interventions in upper limb trauma. 50% of studies used a decision tree model and 50% used collected data alongside a randomised clinical trial. Interventions which were shown to be cost effective in lower limb trauma were total hip replacement in displaced femoral neck fractures, the SHS in stable (A1 and A2) fractures and IM nailing for unstable (A3) fractures, salvage treatment for grade IIIB and IIIC open tibial fractures and operative treatment of ankle and calcaneal fractures. For systems-based strategies, there is evidence demonstrating cost effectiveness to treating hip fractures in high volume centres and to having resources in place to facilitate fractures being treated within 48 h of injury. In upper limb trauma there was evidence showing operative treatment of displaced proximal humerus fractures to be neither clinically nor cost effective. There was evidence supporting the operative treatment of non-displaced scaphoid fractures. Overall the quality of the studies was poor with only 50% (10) of studies able to make a treatment recommendation. Reasons for this included poor quality primary source data and poor reporting methodological practices.

CONCLUSION

Certain aspects of fracture management have been shown to be cost effective. However, there is a paucity of evidence in this area and further research is required so that value-based interventions are chosen by healthcare providers engaged in orthopaedic trauma care.

Total hip replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis on mid-term quality of life

OBJECTIVE

Total hip replacement (THR) is one of the most successful and frequently performed operations worldwide. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a key outcome measure of surgery. We investigated mid-term HRQOL after THR in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

A systematic review of clinical studies published after January 2000 was performed using strict eligibility criteria. Quality appraisal and data tabulation were performed using pre-determined forms. Data were synthesised by narrative review and random-effects meta-analysis using standardised response means. Tau(2) and I(2) values and Funnel plots were analysed.

RESULTS

20 studies were included. Mid-term post-operative HRQOL is superior compared to pre-operative status on qualitative and quantitative analysis. Pooled response means of total Harris Hip Score (HHS) (P < 0.00001) and combined pain (P = 0.00001) and physical function (P < 0.00001) domains of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and HHS improved markedly up to 7 years. Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 shows physical functioning (PF) (P < 0.00001), bodily pain (BP) (P < 0.00001), role physical (P = 0.001), role emotional (P = 0.04), and social functioning (SF) (P = 0.03) were improved up to 7 years. General health (GH) (P = 0.29), mental health (MH) (P = 0.43), and vitality (P = 0.17) was similar. HRQOL is at least as good as reference populations in the first few years and subsequently plateaus or declines. Patient satisfaction and functional status was favourable. There was significant heterogeneity amongst all studies, but publication bias was low in pooled analysis.

CONCLUSION

THR confers significant mid-term HRQOL benefits across a broad range of health domains. Further studies based on consistent guidelines provided in this review are required.

Medical technology as a key driver of rising health expenditure: disentangling the relationship

Health care spending has risen steadily in most countries, becoming a concern for decision-makers worldwide. Commentators often point to new medical technology as the key driver for burgeoning expenditures. This paper critically appraises this conjecture, based on an analysis of the existing literature, with the aim of offering a more detailed and considered analysis of this relationship. Several databases were searched to identify relevant literature. Various categories of studies (eg, multivariate and cost-effectiveness analyses) were included to cover different perspectives, methodological approaches, and issues regarding the link between medical technology and costs. Selected articles were reviewed and relevant information was extracted into a standardized template and analyzed for key cross-cutting themes, ie, impact of technology on costs, factors influencing this relationship, and methodological challenges in measuring such linkages. A total of 86 studies were reviewed. The analysis suggests that the relationship between medical technology and spending is complex and often conflicting. Findings were frequently contingent on varying factors, such as the availability of other interventions, patient population, and the methodological approach employed. Moreover, the impact of technology on costs differed across technologies, in that some (eg, cancer drugs, invasive medical devices) had significant financial implications, while others were cost-neutral or cost-saving. In light of these issues, we argue that decision-makers and other commentators should extend their focus beyond costs solely to include consideration of whether medical technology results in better value in health care and broader socioeconomic benefits.

The cost-effectiveness of total joint arthroplasty: a systematic review of published literature

OBJECTIVE

To summarise the state of the literature evaluating the cost-effectiveness of elective total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA).

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of published cost-effectiveness analyses of THA and TKA. To limit our search to high-quality published papers, we selected those papers included in the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry (created by the Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health at Tufts University) and augmented the search with papers listed in PubMed. The data abstracted included incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, perspective of the analysis, time frame, sensitivity analyses conducted, and utility assessment. All cost-effectiveness ratios were converted to 2011 USD.

RESULTS

Seven studies presenting cost-effectiveness ratios for TKA and six studies for THA were included in our review. All economic evaluations of TKA were published between 2006 and 2012. By contrast, THA studies were published between 1996 and 2008. Out of the 13 studies evaluated in this review, four were from the societal perspective and eight were from the payer perspective. Five studies spanned the lifetime horizon. Of the selected studies, six used probabilistic sensitivity analysis to address uncertainty in data parameters. Both procedures have been shown to be highly cost-effective from the societal perspective over the entire lifespan.

CONCLUSION

THA and TKA have been found to be highly cost-effective in a number of high-quality studies. Further analyses are needed on the cost-effectiveness of alternative surgical options, particularly osteotomy. Future economic evaluations should address the expanding indications of THA and TKA to younger, more physically active individuals.

Cemented, cementless, and hybrid prostheses for total hip replacement: cost effectiveness analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cost effectiveness of the three most commonly chosen types of prosthesis for total hip replacement.

DESIGN

Lifetime cost effectiveness model with parameters estimated from individual patient data obtained from three large national databases.

SETTING

English National Health Service.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 55 to 84 undergoing primary total hip replacement for osteoarthritis.

INTERVENTIONS

Total hip replacement using either cemented, cementless, or hybrid prostheses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cost (£), quality of life (EQ-5D-3L, where 0 represents death and 1 perfect health), quality adjusted life years (QALYs), incremental cost effectiveness ratios, and the probability that each prosthesis type is the most cost effective at alternative thresholds of willingness to pay for a QALY gain.

RESULTS

Lifetime costs were generally lowest with cemented prostheses, and postoperative quality of life and lifetime QALYs were highest with hybrid prostheses. For example, in women aged 70 mean costs were £6900 ($11 000; €8200) for cemented prostheses, £7800 for cementless prostheses, and £7500 for hybrid prostheses; mean postoperative EQ-5D scores were 0.78, 0.80, and 0.81, and the corresponding lifetime QALYs were 9.0, 9.2, and 9.3 years. The incremental cost per QALY for hybrid compared with cemented prostheses was £2500. If the threshold willingness to pay for a QALY gain exceeded £10 000, the probability that hybrid prostheses were most cost effective was about 70%. Hybrid prostheses have the highest probability of being the most cost effective in all subgroups, except in women aged 80, where cemented prostheses were most cost effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Cemented prostheses were the least costly type for total hip replacement, but for most patient groups hybrid prostheses were the most cost effective. Cementless prostheses did not provide sufficient improvement in health outcomes to justify their additional costs.

Catastrophic fracture of a stable metal acetabular component

Various modes of failure of primary and revision total hip arthroplasty have been well documented in the literature over the past 30 years. Concerns over polyethylene wear, osteolysis, and hypersensitivity reactions leading to component loosening and early revision have been evaluated and reported in the literature. Routine follow-up is important to monitor for postoperative issues that might lead to the subsequent need for revision.This article describes a case of a 64-year-old man who initially presented 11 years prior with an intertrochanteric fracture, which failed secondary to varus alignment and femoral head osteonecrosis. The fixation was converted to a total hip replacement using the S-ROM system (DePuy, Warsaw, Indiana). Subsequently, the patient was lost to follow-up after primary total hip arthroplasty and presented with a catastrophic fracture of the metal acetabular cup system. The failure was suggested by clinical presentation and confirmed by imaging studies showing a fractured acetabular shell with femoral head prosthesis resting in the superolateral ileum. The contributing factors that resulted in mechanical failure were polyethylene wear and component fracture. The acetabular component was revised with an in-growth cementless trabecular metal multihole cup (Zimmer, Warsaw, Indiana) with bone grafting of acetabular defects.Routine assessments help educate patients and allow careful monitoring by physicians while establishing a radiographic timeline for the identification, progression, or lack of postoperative complications.

Can choices between alternative hip prostheses be evidence based? a review of the economic evaluation literature

Background

Total hip replacement surgery places a considerable financial burden on health services and society. Given the large number of hip prostheses available to surgeons, reliable economic evidence is crucial to inform resource allocation decisions. This review summarises published economic evidence on alternative hip prostheses to examine the potential for the literature to inform resource allocation decisions in the UK.

Methods

We searched nine medical and economics electronic databases. 3,270 studies were initially identified, 17 studies were included in the review. Studies were critically appraised using three separate guidelines.

Results

Several methodological problems were identified including a lack of observed long term prosthesis survival data, limited up-to-date and UK based evidence and exclusion of patient and societal perspectives.

Conclusions

More clinical trials including long term follow-up and economic evaluation are needed. These should compare the cost-effectiveness of different prostheses with longer-term follow-up and including a wider perspective.

The cost-effectiveness of routine follow-up after primary total hip arthroplasty

Routine postsurgery assessment of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is recommended in many countries. Whether the benefits of this activity are justified by the costs is not known. We used a decision-analytic Markov model to compare the costs and health outcomes of 3 different follow-up strategies after primary THA. If there is no routine follow-up of patients for 7 years after primary THA, there would be cost savings between AU$6.5 and $11.9 million and gains of between 1.8 and 8.8 quality-adjusted life years. Policy makers should investigate less resource-intensive alternatives to common routine postsurgical assessment.

Safety and efficacy of routine postoperative ibuprofen for pain and disability related to ectopic bone formation after hip replacement surgery (HIPAID): randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine the benefits and risks of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as prophylaxis for ectopic bone formation in patients undergoing total hip replacement (or revision) surgery.

DESIGN

Double blind randomised placebo controlled clinical trial, stratified by treatment site and surgery (primary or revision).

SETTING

20 orthopaedic surgery centres in Australia and New Zealand.

PARTICIPANTS

902 patients undergoing elective primary or revision total hip replacement surgery.

INTERVENTION

14 days' treatment with ibuprofen (1200 mg daily) or matching placebo started within 24 hours of surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in self reported hip pain and physical function 6 to 12 months after surgery (Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis index).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups for improvements in hip pain (mean difference -0.1, 95% confidence interval -0.4 to 0.2, P = 0.6) or physical function (-0.1, -0.4 to 0.2, P = 0.5), despite a decreased risk of ectopic bone formation (relative risk 0.69, 0.56 to 0.83) associated with ibuprofen. There was a significantly increased risk of major bleeding complications in the ibuprofen group during the admission period (2.09, 1.00 to 4.39).

CONCLUSIONS

These data do not support the use of routine prophylaxis with NSAIDs in patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00145730.

Preventing chronic ectopic bone-related pain and disability after hip replacement surgery with perioperative ibuprofen. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (HIPAID)

Postoperative ectopic bone formation affects about 40% of people undergoing elective hip replacement surgery. Despite clear evidence that a short course of perioperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can substantially reduce the occurrence of ectopic bone, the use of NSAID-based prophylactic therapy is uncommon in Australia or New Zealand. In part, this reflects surgeons' uncertainty about the importance of ectopic bone as a cause of impaired long-term outcome, and in part, concerns about possible increased risk for gastrointestinal complications and excess wound bleeding in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. To address this uncertainty, a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial is being conducted amongst 1000 patients undergoing elective total hip replacement (or revision) surgery. Patients are randomly allocated to 14 days of treatment with either 1200 mg ibuprofen (a commonly used NSAID) or matching placebo commencing within 24 h of surgery. Treatment outcomes will be assessed 6-12 months later. The primary outcome will be self-reported pain and physical function. Secondary outcomes include quality of life and physical performance measures. Patient recruitment has commenced in more than 20 orthopedic centers throughout Australia and New Zealand and will be complete by the end of October 2003. The prevention of chronic ectopic bone-related pain and disability after hip replacement surgery with anti-inflammatory drugs study (HIPAID) has been designed to provide precise and reliable information about the overall balance of risks and benefits associated with a short 14-day perioperative course of ibuprofen among individuals undergoing elective total hip replacement surgery.

Health-related quality of life in total hip and total knee arthroplasty. A qualitative and systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Total hip and total knee arthroplasties are well accepted as reliable and suitable surgical procedures to return patients to function. Health-related quality-of-life instruments have been used to document outcomes in order to optimize the allocation of resources. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the outcomes of total hip and knee arthroplasties as evaluated by health-related quality-of-life instruments.

METHODS

The Medline and EMBASE medical literature databases were searched, from January 1980 to June 2003, to identify relevant studies. Studies were eligible for review if they met the following criteria: (1). the language was English or French, (2). at least one well-validated and self-reported health-related quality of life instrument was used, and (3). a prospective cohort study design was used.

RESULTS

Of the seventy-four studies selected for the review, thirty-two investigated both total hip and total knee arthroplasties, twenty-six focused on total hip arthroplasty, and sixteen focused on total knee arthroplasty exclusively. The most common diagnosis was osteoarthritis. The duration of follow-up ranged from seven days to seven years, with the majority of studies describing results at six to twelve months. The Short Form-36 and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, the most frequently used instruments, were employed in forty and twenty-eight studies, respectively. Seventeen studies used a utility index. Overall, total hip and total knee arthroplasties were found to be quite effective in terms of improvement in health-related quality-of-life dimensions, with the occasional exception of the social dimension. Age was not found to be an obstacle to effective surgery, and men seemed to benefit more from the intervention than did women. When improvement was found to be modest, the role of comorbidities was highlighted. Total hip arthroplasty appears to return patients to function to a greater extent than do knee procedures, and primary surgery offers greater improvement than does revision. Patients who had poorer preoperative health-related quality of life were more likely to experience greater improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Health-related quality-of-life data are valuable, can provide relevant health-status information to health professionals, and should be used as a rationale for the implementation of the most adequate standard of care. Additional knowledge and scientific dissemination of surgery outcomes should help to ensure better management of patients undergoing total hip or total knee arthroplasty and to optimize the use of these procedures.

Economic evaluation in total hip arthroplasty: analysis and review of the literature

We performed a bibliographic search of MEDLINE databases from January 1966 to July 2002 to identify English language articles that contained either "cost" or "economic" in combination with "total hip arthroplasty" (THA) in the abstract or title. Each study was then critically reviewed for content, technique, and adherence to established healthcare economic principles. Only 81 of the 153 studies retrieved contained actual economic data. Only 6% of studies adhered to established criteria for a comprehensive health care economic analysis. Although the number of publications regarding economic evaluation of THA is on the rise, the methodologic quality of many of these studies remains inadequate. Future studies should employ sound healthcare economic techniques to properly evaluate and assess the true social and economic value of THA.

Effects of heterotopic bone formation on outcome after hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Heterotopic bone formation (HBF) is well established as a frequent complication of major hip surgery, but its importance as a cause of impaired postoperative outcome is uncertain.

METHODS

A systematic overview of all studies that reported the association of HBF with the risk of impaired range of movement, pain or poor function, late after hip arthroplasty.

RESULTS

A computer-based search identified 37 relevant studies that included 10,826 individuals. There were 30 studies (8305 participants) that assessed the association between HBF and range of movement, 14 studies (7420 participants) that assessed the association between HBF and pain and 16 studies (5918 participants) that assessed the association between HBF and function. Overall, there was a clear positive association of HBF with the risk of an impaired range of movement at the hip joint and with the risk of a poor functional outcome. The association of HBF with pain was unclear. There was evidence of effects of mild-to-moderate HBF on the postoperative range of movement.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that mild-to-moderate HBF, not just severe HBF, can influence outcome after major hip surgery. HBF may therefore be a more frequent cause of postoperative symptomatology than is generally believed. It is possible that effective prophylactic regimens will improve outcomes in large numbers of patients.