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Nikl A, Janssen MF, Brodszky V, Rencz F. A head-to-head comparison of the EQ-5D-5L and 15D descriptive systems and index values in a general population sample. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2023; 21:17. [PMID: 36803866 PMCID: PMC9940337 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-023-02096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The EQ-5D-5L and 15D are generic preference-accompanied health status measures with similar dimensions. In this study, we aim to compare the measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L and 15D descriptive systems and index values in a general population sample. METHODS In August 2021, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative adult general population sample (n = 1887). The EQ-5D-5L and 15D descriptive systems and index values were compared in terms of ceiling and floor, informativity (Shannon's Evenness index), agreement, convergent and known-groups validity for 41 chronic physical and mental health conditions. Danish value sets were used to compute index values for both instruments. As a sensitivity analysis, index values were also estimated using the Hungarian EQ-5D-5L and Norwegian 15D value sets. RESULTS Overall, 270 (8.6%) and 1030 (3.4*10-6%) unique profiles occurred on the EQ-5D-5L and 15D. The EQ-5D-5L dimensions (0.51-0.70) demonstrated better informativity than those of 15D (0.44-0.69). EQ-5D-5L and 15D dimensions capturing similar areas of health showed moderate or strong correlations (0.558-0.690). The vision, hearing, eating, speech, excretion and mental function 15D dimensions demonstrated very weak or weak correlations with all EQ-5D-5L dimensions, which may indicate potential room for EQ-5D-5L bolt-ons. The 15D index values showed lower ceiling than the EQ-5D-5L (21% vs. 36%). The mean index values were 0.86 for the Danish EQ-5D-5L, 0.87 for the Hungarian EQ-5D-5L, 0.91 for the Danish 15D and 0.81 for the Norwegian 15D. Strong correlations were found between the index values (Danish EQ-5D-5L vs. Danish 15D 0.671, Hungarian EQ-5D-5L vs. Norwegian 15D 0.638). Both instruments were able to discriminate between all chronic condition groups with moderate or large effect sizes (Danish EQ-5D-5L 0.688-3.810, Hungarian EQ-5D-5L 1.233-4.360, Danish 15D 0.623-3.018 and Norwegian 15D 1.064-3.816). Compared to the 15D, effect sizes were larger for the EQ-5D-5L in 88-93% of chronic condition groups. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to compare the measurement properties of the EQ-5D-5L and 15D in a general population sample. Despite having 10 fewer dimensions, the EQ-5D-5L performed better than the 15D in many aspects. Our findings help to understand the differences between generic preference-accompanied measures and support resource allocation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nikl
- grid.17127.320000 0000 9234 5858Department of Health Policy, Corvinus University of Budapest, 8 Fővám tér, Budapest, 1093 Hungary ,grid.11804.3c0000 0001 0942 9821Károly Rácz Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mathieu F. Janssen
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XSection Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Valentin Brodszky
- grid.17127.320000 0000 9234 5858Department of Health Policy, Corvinus University of Budapest, 8 Fővám tér, Budapest, 1093 Hungary
| | - Fanni Rencz
- Department of Health Policy, Corvinus University of Budapest, 8 Fővám tér, Budapest, 1093, Hungary.
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Kaur MN, Yan J, Klassen AF, David JP, Pieris D, Sharma M, Bordeleau L, Xie F. A Systematic Literature Review of Health Utility Values in Breast Cancer. Med Decis Making 2022; 42:704-719. [PMID: 35042379 PMCID: PMC9189726 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x211065471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health utility values (HUVs) are important inputs to the cost-utility analysis of breast cancer interventions. PURPOSE Provide a catalog of breast cancer-related published HUVs across different stages of breast cancer and treatment interventions. DATA SOURCES Systematic searches of MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit, and Cochrane databases (2005-2017). STUDY SELECTION Studies published in English that reported mean or median HUVs using direct or indirect methods of utility elicitation for breast cancer. DATA EXTRACTION Independent reviewers extracted data on a preestablished and piloted form; disagreements were resolved through discussion. DATA ANALYSIS Mixed-effects meta-regression using restricted maximum likelihood modeling was conducted for intervention type, stage of breast cancer, and typical clinical and treatment trajectory of breast cancer patients to assess the effect of study characteristics (i.e., sample size, utility elicitation method, and respondent type) on HUVs. DATA SYNTHESIS Seventy-nine studies were included in the review. Most articles (n = 52, 66%) derived HUVs using the EQ-5D. Patients with advanced-stage breast cancer (range, 0.08 to 0.82) reported lower HUVs as compared with patients with early-stage breast cancer (range, 0.58 to 0.99). The meta-regression analysis found that undergoing chemotherapy and surgery and radiation, being diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer, and recurrent cancer were associated with lower HUVs. The members of the general public reported lower HUVs as compared with patients. LIMITATIONS There was considerable heterogeneity in the study population, health states assessed, and utility elicitation methods. CONCLUSION This review provides a catalog of published HUVs related to breast cancer. The substantial heterogeneity in the health utility studies makes it challenging for researchers to choose which HUVs to use in cost-utility analyses for breast cancer interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manraj N Kaur
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jiajun Yan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anne F Klassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Justin P David
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dilshan Pieris
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Manraj Sharma
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Louise Bordeleau
- Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Feng Xie
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Erfani P, Bhangdia K, Stauber C, Mugunga JC, Pace LE, Fadelu T. Economic Evaluations of Breast Cancer Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review. Oncologist 2021; 26:e1406-e1417. [PMID: 34050590 PMCID: PMC8342576 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the cost of delivering breast cancer (BC) care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is critical to guide effective care delivery strategies. This scoping review summarizes the scope of literature on the costs of BC care in LMICs and characterizes the methodological approaches of these economic evaluations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in five databases and gray literature up to March 2020. Studies were screened to identify original articles that included a cost outcome for BC diagnosis or treatment in an LMIC. Two independent reviewers assessed articles for eligibility. Data related to study characteristics and methodology were extracted. Study quality was assessed using the Drummond et al. checklist. RESULTS Ninety-one articles across 38 countries were included. The majority (73%) of studies were published between 2013 and 2020. Low-income countries (2%) and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (9%) were grossly underrepresented. The majority of studies (60%) used a health care system perspective. Time horizon was not reported in 30 studies (33%). Of the 33 studies that estimated the cost of multiple steps in the BC care pathway, the majority (73%) were of high quality, but studies varied in their inclusion of nonmedical direct and indirect costs. CONCLUSION There has been substantial growth in the number of BC economic evaluations in LMICs in the past decade, but there remain limited data from low-income countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. BC economic evaluations should be prioritized in these countries. Use of existing frameworks for economic evaluations may help achieve comparable, transparent costing analyses. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There has been substantial growth in the number of breast cancer economic evaluations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the past decade, but there remain limited data from low-income countries. Breast cancer economic evaluations should be prioritized in low-income countries and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers should strive to use and report a costing perspective and time horizon that captures all costs relevant to the study objective, including those such as direct nonmedical and indirect costs. Use of existing frameworks for economic evaluations in LMICs may help achieve comparable, transparent costing analyses in order to guide breast cancer control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parsa Erfani
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kayleigh Bhangdia
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jean Claude Mugunga
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Partners In Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lydia E Pace
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Temidayo Fadelu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Hashempour R, Raei B, Safaei Lari M, Abolhasanbeigi Gallezan N, AkbariSari A. QALY league table of Iran: a practical method for better resource allocation. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2021; 19:3. [PMID: 33441153 PMCID: PMC7807517 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-020-00256-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The limited health care resources cannot meet all the demands of the society. Thus, decision makers have to choose feasible interventions and reject the others. We aimed to collect and summarize the results of all cost utility analysis studies that were conducted in Iran and develop a Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) league table. METHODS A systematic mapping review was conducted to identify all cost utility analysis studies done in Iran and then map them in a table. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science, as well as Iranian databases like Iran Medex, SID, Magiran, and Barakat Knowledge Network System were all searched for articles published from the inception of the databases to January 2020. Additionally, Cost per QALY or Incremental Cost Utility Ratio (ICUR) were collected from all studies. The Joanna Briggs checklist was used to assess quality appraisal. RESULTS In total, 51 cost-utility studies were included in the final analysis, out of which 14 studies were on cancer, six studies on coronary heart diseases. Two studies, each on hemophilia, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The rest were on various other diseases. Markov model was the commonest one which has been applied to in 45% of the reviewed studies. Discount rates ranged from zero to 7.2%. The cost per QALY ranged from $ 0.144 in radiography costs for patients with some orthopedic problems to $ 4,551,521 for immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy in hemophilia patients. High heterogeneity was revealed; therefore, it would be biased to rank interventions based on reported cost per QALY or ICUR. CONCLUSIONS However, it is instructive and informative to collect all economic evaluation studies and summarize them in a table. The information on the table would in turn be used to redirect resources for efficient allocation. in general, it was revealed that preventive programs are cost effective interventions from different perspectives in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Hashempour
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 0000-0002-2043-8451, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behzad Raei
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 0000-0002-2043-8451, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Safaei Lari
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 0000-0002-2043-8451, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasrin Abolhasanbeigi Gallezan
- Department of Health Economics, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali AkbariSari
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 0000-0002-2043-8451, Tehran, Iran.
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Smith AB, Cocks K, Parry D, Taylor M. A Differential Item Functioning Analysis of the EQ-5D in Cancer. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2016; 19:1063-1067. [PMID: 27987634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether differential item functioning (DIF) was present in the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D) used in cancer (non-small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer). METHODS The Partial Credit Model was applied to the three-level version of the EQ-5D with data obtained from four randomized controlled trials in prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer completed at baseline before treatment (N = 2213). DIF was assessed across cancer type (two levels), sex (two levels), and age group (three levels) using Mantel-Haenszel chi-square statistics and evaluated against the Educational Testing Service classification rules. RESULTS The presence of DIF was determined in 14 of 25 (56%) potential DIF contrasts in all the EQ-5D domains. Although mostly the DIF was categorized as either negligible (3 of 25 [12%]) or medium (7 of 25 [28%]), large DIF was observed in 4 of the 25 contrasts (16%). The mobility domain, in particular, showed consistently large DIF across cancer type, sex, and age. CONCLUSIONS Given the use of the instrument in health status assessments across conditions and interventions, these results may have significant implications for the EQ-5D in health economic evaluations. Further research is warranted to determine whether these results hold for other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam B Smith
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, York, UK.
| | - Kim Cocks
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - David Parry
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK
| | - Matthew Taylor
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, York, UK
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Cost-utility analyses of drug therapies in breast cancer: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2016; 159:407-24. [PMID: 27572551 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-016-3924-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The economic evaluation (EE) of health care products has become a necessity. Their quality must be high in order to trust the results and make informed decisions. While cost-utility analyses (CUAs) should be preferred to cost-effectiveness analyses in the oncology area, the quality of breast cancer (BC)-related CUA has been given little attention so far. Thus, firstly, a systematic review of published CUA related to drug therapies for BC, gene expression profiling, and HER2 status testing was performed. Secondly, the quality of selected CUA was assessed and the factors associated with a high-quality CUA identified. The systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE/EMBASE, and Cochrane to identify published CUA between 2000 and 2014. After screening and data extraction, the quality of each selected CUA was assessed by two independent reviewers, using the checklist proposed by Drummond et al. The analysis of factors associated with a high-quality CUA (defined as a Drummond score ≥7) was performed using a two-step approach. Our systematic review was based on 140 CUAs and showed a wide variety of methodological approaches, including differences in the perspective adopted, the time horizon, measurement of cost and effectiveness, and more specially health-state utility values (HSUVs). The median Drummond score was 7 [range 3-10]. Only one in two of the CUA (n = 74) had a Drummond score ≥7, synonymous of "high quality." The statistically significant predictors of a high-quality CUA were article with "gene expression profiling" topic (p = 0.001), consulting or pharmaceutical company as main location of first author (p = 0.004), and articles with both incremental cost-utility ratio and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio as outcomes of EE (p = 0.02). Our systematic review identified only 140 CUAs published over the past 15 years with one in two of high quality. It showed a wide variety of methodological approaches, especially focused on HSUVs. A critical appraisal of utility values is necessary to better understand one of the main difficulties encountered by authors and propose areas for improvement to increase the quality of CUA. Since the last 5 years, there is a tendency toward an improvement in the quality of these studies, probably coupled with economic context, a better and widely spreading of recommendations and thus appropriation by medical practitioners. That being said, there is an urgent need for mandatory use of European and international recommendations to ensure quality of such approaches and to allow easy comparison.
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Hao Y, Wolfram V, Cook J. A structured review of health utility measures and elicitation in advanced/metastatic breast cancer. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2016; 8:293-303. [PMID: 27382319 PMCID: PMC4922814 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s100448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health utilities are increasingly incorporated in health economic evaluations. Different elicitation methods, direct and indirect, have been established in the past. This study examined the evidence on health utility elicitation previously reported in advanced/metastatic breast cancer and aimed to link these results to requirements of reimbursement bodies. METHODS Searches were conducted using a detailed search strategy across several electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and EconLit databases), online sources (Cost-effectiveness Analysis Registry and the Health Economics Research Center), and web sites of health technology assessment (HTA) bodies. Publications were selected based on the search strategy and the overall study objectives. RESULTS A total of 768 publications were identified in the searches, and 26 publications, comprising 18 journal articles and eight submissions to HTA bodies, were included in the evidence review. Most journal articles derived utilities from the European Quality of Life Five-Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D). Other utility measures, such as the direct methods standard gamble (SG), time trade-off (TTO), and visual analog scale (VAS), were less frequently used. Several studies described mapping algorithms to generate utilities from disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments such as European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Breast Cancer 23 (EORTC QLQ-BR23), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General questionnaire (FACT-G), and Utility-Based Questionnaire-Cancer (UBQ-C); most used EQ-5D as the reference. Sociodemographic factors that affect health utilities, such as age, sex, income, and education, as well as disease progression, choice of utility elicitation method, and country settings, were identified within the journal articles. Most submissions to HTA bodies obtained utility values from the literature rather than exploring the HRQOL data obtained during clinical development. This was critiqued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Furthermore, the impact of age on utilities was highlighted by NICE and it was suggested that an age match of the study population should be attempted. CONCLUSION Health utilities are recorded across the globe to varying extents and using differing elicitation methods. Manufacturers seeking reimbursement need to be aware of the country-specific requirements for elicitation of health utilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Hao
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ, USA
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Shahabi S, Fazlalizadeh H, Stedman J, Chuang L, Shariftabrizi A, Ram R. The impact of international economic sanctions on Iranian cancer healthcare. Health Policy 2015; 119:1309-18. [PMID: 26344426 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2012, Iranian's economy collapsed under strain from sanctions instituted to stop Iran from violating the International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sanctions have indirectly led to serious healthcare concerns, specifically cancer treatment. This is the first report to evaluate Iranian cancer healthcare while under international economic sanctions. METHODS Data and information were identified by searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, and references from relevant articles using the search terms: "Iran", "health policy", "sanctions", "ethics", and "cancer". Articles published in the English language between 1966 and present were included, based on relevance to sanctions or the specific case of sanctions in Iran. RESULTS The Program of Action for Cancer Therapy evaluated Iran's National Cancer Control Program (NCCP), reporting it has substantial deficits, including prevention, diagnosis/treatment, palliative care, monitoring, and technology, with a serious drug shortage for cancer care. Sanctions have exemptions for medicines and food, but lead to disruption of health services through complications in transportation, transferring currencies or lack of money. CONCLUSION There is increasing evidence that sanctions harm vulnerable populations, while blocking globalization and not creating political or social change quickly. Improvement of Iran's NCCP is not feasible, and the health of cancer patients will continue to decline while the sanctions are in effect. The solution is complex, but a modern and innovative approach to diplomacy, which includes human rights, is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohreh Shahabi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA; Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA.
| | - Hooman Fazlalizadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology Oncology, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, USA
| | - Jennifer Stedman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology Oncology, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, USA
| | - Linus Chuang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Ahmad Shariftabrizi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Regina Ram
- Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, USA
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Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Kiadaliri AA, Skordis-Worrall J. Do economic evaluation studies inform effective healthcare resource allocation in Iran? A critical review of the literature. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2014; 12:15. [PMID: 25050084 PMCID: PMC4105166 DOI: 10.1186/1478-7547-12-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
To aid informed health sector decision-making, data from sufficient high quality economic evaluations must be available to policy makers. To date, no known study has analysed the quantity and quality of available Iranian economic evaluation studies. This study aimed to assess the quantity, quality and targeting of economic evaluation studies conducted in the Iranian context. The study systematically reviewed full economic evaluation studies (n = 30) published between 1999 and 2012 in international and local journals. The findings of the review indicate that although the literature on economic evaluation in Iran is growing, these evaluations were of poor quality and suffer from several major methodological flaws. Furthermore, the review reveals that economic evaluation studies have not addressed the major health problems in Iran. While the availability of evidence is no guarantee that it will be used to aid decision-making, the absence of evidence will certainly preclude its use. Considering the deficiencies in the data identified by this review, current economic evaluations cannot be a useful source of information for decision makers in Iran. To improve the quality and overall usefulness of economic evaluations we would recommend; 1) developing clear national guidelines for the conduct of economic evaluations, 2) highlighting priority areas where information from such studies would be most useful and 3) training researchers and policy makers in the calculation and use of economic evaluation data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aliasghar Ahmad Kiadaliri
- Health Economics Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences-Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden ; Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jolene Skordis-Worrall
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK ; Department for Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Zelle SG, Baltussen RM. Economic analyses of breast cancer control in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Syst Rev 2013; 2:20. [PMID: 23566447 PMCID: PMC3651267 DOI: 10.1186/2046-4053-2-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To support the development of global strategies against breast cancer, this study reviews available economic evidence on breast cancer control in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS A systematic article search was conducted through electronic scientific databases, and studies were included only if they concerned breast cancer, used original data, and originated from LMICs. Independent assessment of inclusion criteria yielded 24 studies that evaluated different kinds of screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions in various age and risk groups. Studies were synthesized and appraised through the use of a checklist, designed for evaluating economic analyses. RESULTS The majority of these studies were of poor quality, particularly in examining costs. Studies demonstrated the economic attractiveness of breast cancer screening strategies, and of novel treatment and diagnostic interventions. CONCLUSIONS This review shows that the evidence base to guide strategies for breast cancer control in LMICs is limited and of poor quality. The limited evidence base suggests that screening strategies may be economically attractive in LMICs - yet there is very little evidence to provide specific recommendations on screening by mammography versus clinical breast examination, the frequency of screening, or the target population. These results demonstrate the need for more economic analyses that are of better quality, cover a comprehensive set of interventions and result in clear policy recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sten G Zelle
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101 Internal Postal Code 117, 6500HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rob M Baltussen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P.O. Box 9101 Internal Postal Code 117, 6500HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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