Quality of life after cerebrovascular stroke: a systematic study of patients' preferences for different functional outcomes

Measuring Quality of Life in Diabetic Retinal Disease: A Narrative Review of Available Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

Topic

Several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with late-stage clinical diabetic retinal diseases (DRDs). However, an understanding of the psychometric properties of PROMs is needed to assess how they could relate to severity levels of a revised DRD grading system. This narrative review assessed the available generic-, vision-, and DRD-related PROMs used in DRD research and highlights areas for improvement.

Clinical Relevance

Diabetic retinal disease is a common complication of diabetes and can lead to sight-threatening complications with a devastating effect on HRQoL.

Methods

The Quality of Life working group is one of 6 working groups organized for the DRD Staging System Update Effort, a project of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched using core keywords to retrieve ophthalmology-related review articles, randomized clinical trials, and prospective, observational, and cross-sectional studies in the English language. A detailed review of 12 PROMs (4 QoL questionnaires and 8 utilities) that met a minimum level of evidence (LOE) was conducted. The relevance of each PROM to DRD disease stage and Biomarker Qualification guidelines (Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools) categories was also defined.

Results

The National Eye Institute 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), Impact of vision impairment-computerized adaptive testing, and Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema Computerized Adaptive Testing System had a LOE of II in detecting change due to late-stage DRD (diabetic macular edema), although several areas for improvement (e.g., psychometrics and generalizability) were identified. Other PROMs, particularly the utilities, had a LOE of III due to cross-sectional evidence in late-stage clinical DRD. Although the NEI VFQ-25 has been the most widely used PROM in late-stage DRD, more work is required to improve its multidimensional structure and other psychometric limitations. No PROM was deemed relevant for subclinical or early/mid-DRD.

Conclusion

This narrative review found that the most commonly used PROM is NEI VFQ-25, but none meets the ideal psychometric, responsiveness, and clinical setting digital administration requirements that could be included in an updated DRD staging system for diagnosis and monitoring of DRD progression.

Financial Disclosures

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of health utility values among patients with ischemic stroke

Purpose

Ischemic stroke (IS) has a considerable impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. A systematic review was conducted to summarize and synthesize the HRQoL reported from IS patients.

Methods

An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to February 2022 for studies measuring utility values in IS patients. Basic information about the studies, patient characteristics, measurement of the utility values, and utility values were extracted and summarized. Utility values were pooled according to the time of evaluation, and disease severity was classified with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. The quality of the studies was assessed according to key criteria recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Results

A total of 39 studies comprising 30,853 participants were included in the study. Measured with EQ-5D-3L, the pooled utility values were 0.42 [95% confidential interval (CI): 0.13 to 0.71], 0.55 (95% CI: 0.43 to 0.68), 0.65 (95% CI: 0.52 to 0.78), 0.60 (95% CI: 0.43 to 0.78), and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.60 to 0.74) for patients diagnosed with IS within 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months or above among poststroke patients. Four studies reported utility values classified by mRS scores where synthesized estimates stratified by mRS scores ranged from 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85 to 0.97) for patients with an mRS score of 1 to-0.04 (95% CI:-0.18 to 0.11) for those with an mRS score of 5. As for the health dimension profiles, usual activity was the most impacted dimension, while self-care was the least impacted one.

Conclusion

This study indicated that the utility values in IS patients kept increasing from stroke onset and became relatively stabilized at 6 months poststroke. Health utility values decreased significantly as mRS scores increased. These results facilitate economic evaluations in utility retrieval and selection. Further exploration was required regarding the factors that affect the HRQoL of IS patients.

Cost-Effectiveness of Endovascular Thrombectomy in Childhood Stroke: An Analysis of the Save ChildS Study

Background and Purpose

The Save ChildS Study demonstrated that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a safe treatment option for pediatric stroke patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs) with high recanalization rates. Our aim was to determine the long-term cost, health consequences and cost-effectiveness of EVT in this patient population.

Methods

In this retrospective study, a decision-analytic Markov model estimated lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Early outcome parameters were based on the entire Save ChildS Study to model the EVT group. As no randomized data exist, the Save ChildS patient subgroup with unsuccessful recanalization was used to model the standard of care group. For modeling of lifetime estimates, pediatric and adult input parameters were obtained from the current literature. The analysis was conducted in a United States setting applying healthcare and societal perspectives. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set to $100,000 per QALY.

Results

The model results yielded EVT as the dominant (cost-effective as well as cost-saving) strategy for pediatric stroke patients. The incremental effectiveness for the average age of 11.3 years at first stroke in the Save ChildS Study was determined as an additional 4.02 lifetime QALYs, with lifetime cost-savings that amounted to $169,982 from a healthcare perspective and $254,110 when applying a societal perspective. Acceptability rates for EVT were 96.60% and 96.66% for the healthcare and societal perspectives.

Conclusions

EVT for pediatric stroke patients with LVOs resulted in added QALY and reduced lifetime costs. Based on the available data in the Save ChildS Study, EVT is very likely to be a cost-effective treatment strategy for childhood stroke.

Cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban versus warfarin for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the Japanese healthcare setting

Aims: This article aimed to examine the cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban in comparison to warfarin for stroke prevention in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), from a public healthcare payer's perspective.Materials and methods: Baseline event risks were obtained from the J-ROCKET AF trial and the treatment effect data were taken from a network meta-analysis. The other model inputs were extracted from the literature and official Japanese sources. The outcomes included the number of ischaemic strokes, myocardial infarctions, systemic embolisms and bleedings avoided, life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), incremental costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The scenario analysis considered treatment effect data from the same network meta-analysis.Results: In comparison with warfarin, rivaroxaban was estimated to avoid 0.284 ischaemic strokes per patient, to increase the number of QALYs by 0.535 per patient and to decrease the total costs by ¥118,892 (€1,011.11) per patient (1 JPY = 0.00850638 EUR; XE.com, 7 October 2019). Consequently, rivaroxaban treatment was found to be dominant compared to warfarin. In the scenario analysis, the ICER of rivaroxaban versus warfarin was ¥2,873,499 (€24,446.42) per QALY.Limitations: The various sources of data used resulted in the heterogeneity of the cost-effectiveness analysis results. Although, rivaroxaban was cost-effective in the majority of cases.Conclusion: Rivaroxaban is cost-effective against warfarin for stroke prevention in Japanese patients with NVAF, giving the payer WTP of 5,000,000 JPY.

Cost Effectiveness of Assessing Ultrasound Plaque Characteristics to Risk Stratify Asymptomatic Patients With Carotid Stenosis

Background

Imaging may play an important role in identifying high‐risk plaques in patients who have carotid disease and who could benefit from surgical revascularization. We sought to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a decision‐making rule based on the ultrasound imaging assessment of plaque echolucency in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Methods and Results

We used a decision‐analytic model to project lifetime quality‐adjusted life years and costs for 5 stroke prevention strategies: (1) medical therapy only; (2) revascularization if both plaque echolucency and stenosis progression to >90% are present; (3) revascularization only if plaque echolucency is present; (4) revascularization only if stenosis progression >90% is present; or (5) either plaque echolucency or stenosis progression is present. Risks of clinical events, costs, and quality‐of‐life values were estimated based on published sources and the analysis was conducted from a healthcare system perspective for asymptomatic patients with 70% to 89% carotid stenosis at presentation. Patients who did not undergo revascularization had the highest stroke events (17.6%) and lowest life‐years (8.45), while those who underwent revascularization on the basis of either presence of plaque echolucency on ultrasound or progression of carotid stenosis had the lowest stroke events (12.0%) and longest life‐years (14.41). The either plaque echolucency or progression‐based revascularization group had an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $110 000/quality‐adjusted life years compared with the plaque echolucency‐based strategy, which had an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $29 000/quality‐adjusted life years compared with the joint echolucency and progression‐based strategy.

Conclusions

Plaque echolucency on ultrasound can be a cost‐effective tool to identify patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis most likely to benefit from carotid endarterectomy.

Direct Assessment of Health Utilities Using the Standard Gamble Among Patients With Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Standard gamble (SG) directly measures patients' valuation of their health state. We compare in-hospital and day-90 SG utilities (SGU) among intracerebral hemorrhage patients and report a 3-way association between SGU, EuroQoL-5 dimension, and modified Rankin Scale at day 90.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage underwent in-hospital and day-90 assessments for the modified Rankin Scale, EuroQoL-5 dimension, and SG. SG provides patients a choice between their current health state and a hypothetical treatment with varying chances of either perfect health or a painless death. Higher SGU (scale, 0-1) indicates lower risk tolerance and thus higher valuation of the current health state. Logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of low SGU (≤0.6), and Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test compared in-hospital and day-90 SGU. In-hospital and day-90 SG was obtained from 381 and 280 patients, respectively, including 236 paired observations. Median (interquartile range) in-hospital and day-90 SGUs were 0.85 (0.40-0.98) and 0.98 (0.75-1.00; P<0.001). In-hospital SGUs were lower with advancing age (P=0.007), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and intracerebral hemorrhage scores (P<0.001). Proxy-based assessments resulted in lower SGUs; median difference (95% CI), -0.2 (-0.33 to -0.07). After adjustment, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and proxy assessments were independently associated with lower SGU, along with an effect modification of age by race. Day-90 SGU and modified Rankin Scale were significantly correlated; however, SGUs were higher than the EuroQoL-5 dimension utilities at higher modified Rankin Scale levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Divergence between directly (SGU) and indirectly (EuroQoL-5 dimension) assessed utilities at high levels of functional disability warrant careful prognostication of intracerebral hemorrhage outcomes and should be considered in designing early end-of-life care discussions with families and patients.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin in Thai Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been recommended as preferred options for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) versus warfarin by guidelines worldwide.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each NOAC in a Thai health care environment, a country with upper middle-income economies based on the World Bank's classification.

METHOD

A lifetime Markov model was created from a Thai societal perspective. The model consisted of 19 health states separated into two cycles: event cycle and consequence cycle. The consequences of AF included in the model were ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, extracranial haemorrhage, and myocardial infarction. All NOACs available in Thailand (dabigatran 150 mg and 110 mg twice daily; rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily; apixaban 5 mg twice daily; edoxaban 60 mg and 30 mg once daily) were assessed using warfarin with an international normalised ratio of 2-3 as the reference. Inputs were a combination of published literature and local data when available. A willingness-to-pay of 160,000 Thai baht (THB)/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was used as the threshold of being cost-effective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were estimated.

RESULTS

All NOACs were not cost-effective strategies for the Thai AF population. The ranking of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios from lowest to highest were apixaban 5 mg twice daily (THB 692,136 or US$21,862) followed by edoxaban 60 mg once daily (THB 911,772 or US$28,799), edoxaban 30 mg once daily (THB 913,749 or US$28,861), dabigatran 150 mg twice daily (THB 1,102,106 or US$34,811), dabigatran 110 mg twice daily (THB 1,195,347 or US$37,756), and rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily (THB 1,347,650 or US$42,566). Cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicated that apixaban had the highest potential to be a cost-effective strategy versus other NOACs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that all NOACs were not cost-effective in the Thai AF population. Of the NOACs, apixaban may be the most likely to be cost-effective. These data may be useful for policymakers to perform a comprehensive evaluation of these agents for formulary decision and pricing negotiation.

Relation between health utility score and physical activity in community-dwelling ambulatory patients with stroke: a preliminary cross-sectional study

Background The health utility score in patients with stroke relates to physical, psychological, and various other factors. However, the relationship between the health utility score in patients with stroke and objective physical activity has not been clarified. Objective To clarify the relation between the health utility score and objective physical activity in community-dwelling ambulatory patients with stroke. Design A cross-sectional study. Method Patients who received outpatient consultation from a stroke certified nurse after discharge were recruited. We assessed health-related quality of life with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 3-Level questionnaire and calculated the health utility score. We measured the daily number of steps taken as the index of objective physical activity using an accelerometer. Results Twenty-two patients (72.7% men, 69.5 years old) were included. The health utility score was 0.78 ± 0.14. The physical activity value as indicated by the number of steps taken was 6276.3 ± 4640.7 steps. The health utility score showed a significant positive correlation with the number of steps taken (r = 0.466, p = 0.029). Conclusions The present study showed that the health utility score correlated significantly with objective physical activity in community-dwelling ambulatory patients with stroke. The more the patients with stroke walked, the higher their health utility score was. Further studies should assess other domains of health-related quality of life to comprehensively verify this relationship.

Differences in utility elicitation methods in cardiovascular disease: a systematic review

AIMS

Utility values inform estimates of the cost-effectiveness of treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but values can vary depending on the method used. The aim of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to explore how methods of elicitation impact utility values for CVD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review identified English-language articles in Embase, MEDLINE, and the gray literature published between September 1992 and August 2015 using keywords for "utilities" and "stroke", "heart failure", "myocardial infarction", or "angina". Variability in utility values based on the method of elicitation, tariff, or type of respondent was then reported.

RESULTS

This review screened 4,341 citations; 290 of these articles qualified for inclusion in the SLR because they reported utility values for one or more of the cardiovascular conditions of interest listed above. Of these 290, the 41 articles that provided head-to-head comparisons of utility methods for CVD were reviewed. In this sub-set, it was found that methodological differences contributed to variation in utility values. Direct methods often yielded higher scores than did indirect methods. Within direct methods, there were no clear trends in head-to-head studies (standard gamble [SG] vs time trade-off); but general population respondents often provided lower scores than did patients with the disease when evaluating the same health states with SG methods. When comparing indirect methods, the EQ-5D typically yielded higher values than the SF-6D, but also showed more sensitivity to differences in health states.

CONCLUSIONS

When selecting CVD utility values for an economic model, consideration of the utility elicitation method is important, as this review demonstrates that methodology of choice impacts utility values in CVD.

Cluster randomised controlled trial and economic and process evaluation to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel intervention [Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP)] to prevent obesity in school children

Background

Approximately one-third of children in England leave primary school overweight or obese. There is little evidence of effective obesity prevention programmes for children in this age group.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a school-based healthy lifestyles programme in preventing obesity in children aged 9–10 years.

Design

A cluster randomised controlled trial with an economic and process evaluation.

Setting

Thirty-two primary schools in south-west England.

Participants

Children in Year 5 (aged 9–10 years) at recruitment and in Year 7 (aged 11–12 years) at 24 months’ post-baseline follow-up.

Intervention

The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP) ran during the spring and summer terms of Year 5 into the autumn term of Year 6 and included four phases: (1) building a receptive environment, (2) a drama-based healthy lifestyles week, (3) one-to-one goal setting and (4) reinforcement activities.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) at 24 months post baseline measures (12 months post intervention). The secondary outcomes comprised waist circumference SDS, percentage body fat SDS, proportion of children overweight and obese at 18 and 24 months, accelerometer-assessed physical activity and food intake at 18 months, and cost-effectiveness.

Results

We recruited 32 schools and 1324 children. We had a rate of 94% follow-up for the primary outcome. No difference in BMI SDS was found at 24 months [mean difference –0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.09 to 0.05] or at 18 months (mean difference –0.02, 95% CI –0.08 to 0.05) between children in the intervention schools and children in the control schools. No difference was found between the intervention and control groups in waist circumference SDS, percentage body fat SDS or physical activity levels. Self-reported dietary behaviours showed that, at 18 months, children in the intervention schools consumed fewer energy-dense snacks and had fewer negative food markers than children in the control schools. The intervention effect on negative food markers was fully mediated by ‘knowledge’ and three composite variables: ‘confidence and motivation’, ‘family approval/behaviours and child attitudes’ and ‘behaviours and strategies’. The intervention effect on energy-dense snacks was partially mediated by ‘knowledge’ and the same composite variables apart from ‘behaviours and strategies’. The cost of implementing the intervention was approximately £210 per child. The intervention was not cost-effective compared with control. The programme was delivered with high fidelity, and it engaged children, schools and families across the socioeconomic spectrum.

Limitations

The rate of response to the parent questionnaire in the process evaluation was low. Although the schools in the HeLP study included a range of levels of socioeconomic deprivation, class sizes and rural and urban settings, the number of children for whom English was an additional language was considerably lower than the national average.

Conclusions

HeLP is not effective or cost-effective in preventing overweight or obesity in children aged 9–10 years.

Future work

Our very high levels of follow-up and fidelity of intervention delivery lead us to conclude that it is unlikely that school-based programmes targeting a single age group can ever be sufficiently intense to affect weight status. New approaches are needed that affect the school, the family and the wider environment to prevent childhood obesity.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15811706.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full inPublic Health Research; Vol. 6, No. 1. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

The impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on quality of life: A mixed methods study

OBJECTIVE

To provide an in-depth understanding of patients' views about the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on self-reported quality of life.

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is considered to be the gold standard of care for inoperable patients diagnosed with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Mid- to long-term clinical outcomes are favourable and questionnaire data indicates improvements in quality of life but an in-depth understanding of how quality of life is altered by the intervention is missing.

METHODS

A mixed methods study design with a total of 89 in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with participants (39% male; mean age 81.7 years), 1 and 3 months post TAVI, recruited from a regional centre in England. Data were triangulated with questionnaire data (SF-36 and EQ5D-VAS) collected, pre, 1 and 3 months post implantation.

RESULTS

Participants' accounts were characterised by four key themes; shortened life, extended life, limited life and changed life. Quality of life was changed through two mechanisms. Most participants reported a reduced symptom burden and all explained that their life expectancy was improved. Questionnaire data supported interview data with gradual improvements in mean EQ-5D scores and SF-36 physical and mental domain scores at 1 and 3 months compared to baseline.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that TAVI was of variable benefit, producing considerable improvements in either mental or physical health in many participants, while a smaller proportion continued to deteriorate.

Utility approach to decision-making in extended T1 and limited T2 glottic carcinoma

BACKGROUND

It is still undecided if endoscopic laser surgery or radiotherapy is the preferable treatment in extended T1 and limited T2 glottic tumors. Health utilities assessed from patients can aid in decision-making.

METHODS

Patients treated for extended T1 or limited T2 glottic carcinoma by laser surgery (n = 12) or radiotherapy (n = 14) assigned health utilities using a visual analog scale (VAS), time tradeoff (TTO) technique and scored their voice handicap using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).

RESULTS

VAS and TTO scores were slightly lower for the laser group compared to the radiotherapy group, however, not significantly so. The VHI showed a correlation with the VAS score, which was very low in both groups and can be considered (near) normal.

CONCLUSION

Patients show no clear preference for the outcomes of laser surgery or radiotherapy from a quality of life (QOL) or voice handicap point of view. These data can now be incorporated into decision-making models. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2017 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 779-785, 2017.

Patient-reported health preferences of anticoagulant-related outcomes

Strokes can have a catastrophic impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In addition to warfarin, two novel oral anticoagulants, i.e., dabigatran and rivaroxaban, have been approved to prevent strokes. This study aimed to use direct measures to elicit patient-reported utilities (i.e., preferences) for anticoagulant-related outcomes. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 100 patients taking warfarin in an anticoagulation clinic. Utilities for six long-term and four short-term anticoagulant-related health states were elicited by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and standard gamble (SG) methods. Health states with the highest SG-derived mean utility values were "well on rivaroxaban" (mean ± SD = 0.90 ± 0.15), "well on warfarin" (0.86 ± 0.17), and "well on dabigatran" (0.83 ± 0.18). Approximately half of the patients considered major ischemic stroke (-1.57 ± 6.77) and intracranial hemorrhage (-1.99 ± 6.98) to be worse than death. The percentages of patients who considered a particular health state worse than death ranged from 0 to 55 % among various health states assessed. The VAS had similar findings. Good logical consistency was observed in both VAS- and SG-derived utility values. Ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage had a significant impact on patients' HRQoL. Greater variation in patients' preferences was observed for more severely impaired health states, indicating the need for individualized medical decision-making. In this study, both long-term and short-term health states were included in the utility assessment. The findings of this study can be used in cost-utility analysis of future anticoagulation therapies.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of point-of-care tests (CoaguChek system, INRatio2 PT/INR monitor and ProTime Microcoagulation system) for the self-monitoring of the coagulation status of people receiving long-term vitamin K antagonist therapy, compared with standard UK practice: systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Self-monitoring (self-testing and self-management) could be a valid option for oral anticoagulation therapy monitoring in the NHS, but current evidence on its clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness is limited.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of point-of-care coagulometers for the self-monitoring of coagulation status in people receiving long-term vitamin K antagonist therapy, compared with standard clinic monitoring.

DATA SOURCES

We searched major electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, MEDLINE In Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE, Bioscience Information Service, Science Citation Index and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from 2007 to May 2013. Reports published before 2007 were identified from the existing Cochrane review (major databases searched from inception to 2007). The economic model parameters were derived from the clinical effectiveness review, other relevant reviews, routine sources of cost data and clinical experts' advice.

REVIEW METHODS

We assessed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating self-monitoring in people with atrial fibrillation or heart valve disease requiring long-term anticoagulation therapy. CoaguChek(®) XS and S models (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland), INRatio2(®) PT/INR monitor (Alere Inc., San Diego, CA USA), and ProTime Microcoagulation system(®) (International Technidyne Corporation, Nexus Dx, Edison, NJ, USA) coagulometers were compared with standard monitoring. Where possible, we combined data from included trials using standard inverse variance methods. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A de novo economic model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness over a 10-year period.

RESULTS

We identified 26 RCTs (published in 45 papers) with a total of 8763 participants. CoaguChek was used in 85% of the trials. Primary analyses were based on data from 21 out of 26 trials. Only four trials were at low risk of bias. Major clinical events: self-monitoring was significantly better than standard monitoring in preventing thromboembolic events [relative risk (RR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40 to 0.84; p = 0.004]. In people with artificial heart valves (AHVs), self-monitoring almost halved the risk of thromboembolic events (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.82; p = 0.003) and all-cause mortality (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.92; p = 0.02). There was greater reduction in thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality through self-management but not through self-testing. Intermediate outcomes: self-testing, but not self-management, showed a modest but significantly higher percentage of time in therapeutic range, compared with standard care (weighted mean difference 4.44, 95% CI 1.71 to 7.18; p = 0.02). Patient-reported outcomes: improvements in patients' quality of life related to self-monitoring were observed in six out of nine trials. High preference rates were reported for self-monitoring (77% to 98% in four trials). Net health and social care costs over 10 years were £7295 (self-monitoring with INRatio2); £7324 (standard care monitoring); £7333 (self-monitoring with CoaguChek XS) and £8609 (self-monitoring with ProTime). The estimated quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gain associated with self-monitoring was 0.03. Self-monitoring with INRatio2 or CoaguChek XS was found to have ≈ 80% chance of being cost-effective, compared with standard monitoring at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY gained.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with standard monitoring, self-monitoring appears to be safe and effective, especially for people with AHVs. Self-monitoring, and in particular self-management, of anticoagulation status appeared cost-effective when pooled estimates of clinical effectiveness were applied. However, if self-monitoring does not result in significant reductions in thromboembolic events, it is unlikely to be cost-effective, based on a comparison of annual monitoring costs alone. Trials investigating the longer-term outcomes of self-management are needed, as well as direct comparisons of the various point-of-care coagulometers.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013004944.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Correlates of a Single-Item Quality-of-Life Measure in People Aging with Disabilities

Objective

Practical quality-of-life (QOL) screening methods are needed to help focus clinical decision-making on what matters to individuals with disabilities.

Design

A secondary analysis of a database from a large study of adults aging with impairments focused on four diagnostic groups: cerebral palsy (n = 134), polio (n = 321), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 99), and stroke (n = 82). Approximately 20% of cases were repeated measures of the same individuals 3–5 yrs later. Functional levels, depression, and social interactions were assessed. The single-item, subjective, seven-point Kemp Quality of Life Scale measured QOL. For each diagnostic group, Kemp Quality of Life Scale responses were divided into low, average, and high QOL subgroups. Analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference tests compared clinical characteristics among these subgroups.

Results

Duration of disability varied among the four groups. Within each group, QOL subgroups were similar in age, sex, and duration of disability. Low mean QOL was associated with lower functional level, higher depression scores, and lower social interaction (P < 0.001) in all four groups. In contrast, high mean QOL was associated with higher social interaction (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Kemp Quality of Life Scale relates significantly to clinically relevant variables in adults with impairments. The scale’s utility in direct clinical care merits further examination.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Rivaroxaban versus Acenocoumarol in the Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Spain

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate, from the Spanish National Health System perspective, the cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban (20 mg/day) versus use of acenocoumarol (5 mg/day) for the treatment of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) at moderate to high risk for stroke. Methods: A Markov model was designed and populated with local cost estimates, efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in stroke prevention in NVAF compared with adjusted-dose warfarin clinical results from the pivotal phase III ROCKET AF trial and utility values obtained from the literature. Warfarin and acenocoumarol were assumed to have therapeutic equivalence. Results: Rivaroxaban treatment was associated with fewer ischemic strokes and systemic embolisms (0.289 vs. 0.300 events), intracranial bleeds (0.051 vs. 0.067), and myocardial infarctions (0.088 vs. 0.102) per patient compared with acenocoumarol. Over a lifetime time horizon, rivaroxaban led to a reduction of 0.041 life-threatening events per patient, and increases of 0.103 life-years and 0.155 quality-adjusted lifeyears (QALYs) versus acenocoumarol treatment. This resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €7045 per QALY and €10 602 per life-year gained. Sensitivity analysis indicated that these results were robust and that rivaroxaban is cost-effective compared with acenocoumarol in 89.4% of cases should a willingness-to-pay threshold of €30 000/QALY gained be considered. Conclusions: The present analysis suggests that rivaroxaban is a cost-effective alternative to acenocoumarol therapy for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolisms in patients with NVAF in the Spanish healthcare setting.

Quantifying the Benefit of Prehospital Rapid Treatment in Acute Stroke

Background and Purpose—

In acute ischemic stroke, time from onset to tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment (OTT) is a major determinant of outcome. To reduce OTT, clinical trials have been undertaken evaluating prehospital cerebral imaging with mobile computed tomographic scanners. Furthermore, blood biomarkers may allow rapid differentiation between ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage before hospital admission. How such treatment strategies translate into clinical benefit has not been specifically evaluated.

Methods—

We constructed decision models to estimate the net clinical benefit yielded by shorter OTT. In different scenarios, we estimated the proportion of patients with favorable outcome and the average quality of life.

Results—

An OTT reduction of 60 minutes increases the probability of favorable outcome by 6.6% in a mixed stroke population. For comparison, the average effect of tissue-type plasminogen activator itself is 7.0%. Prehospital mobile computed tomography gaining 25 to 40 minutes increases the probability of favorable outcome by 3.0% to 4.6%. The additional benefit of prehospital computed tomography to deliver patients with large vessel occlusion directly to endovascular treatment centers increases the probability of favorable outcome by another 0.2% to 1.0%. A blood test discriminating ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage may beneficially substitute brain scan before tissue-type plasminogen activator if >32 to 40 minutes are gained and if sensitivity for intracerebral hemorrhage is >75% to 80%.

Conclusions—

Reducing the OTT has robust beneficial effects for acute stroke patients. Prehospital tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment without brain imaging may become conceivable under several preconditions, including a point-of-care test with >75% to 80% sensitivity to detect intracerebral hemorrhage and a time gain of >32 to 40 minutes. Ethical implications remain to be addressed.

Adopting a Patient-Centered Approach to Primary Outcome Analysis of Acute Stroke Trials Using a Utility-Weighted Modified Rankin Scale

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is the most commonly used primary end point in acute stroke trials, its power is limited when analyzed in dichotomized fashion and its indication of effect size challenging to interpret when analyzed ordinally. Weighting the 7 Rankin levels by utilities may improve scale interpretability while preserving statistical power.

METHODS

A utility-weighted mRS (UW-mRS) was derived by averaging values from time-tradeoff (patient centered) and person-tradeoff (clinician centered) studies. The UW-mRS, standard ordinal mRS, and dichotomized mRS were applied to 11 trials or meta-analyses of acute stroke treatments, including lytic, endovascular reperfusion, blood pressure moderation, and hemicraniectomy interventions.

RESULTS

Utility values were 1.0 for mRS level 0; 0.91 for mRS level 1; 0.76 for mRS level 2; 0.65 for mRS level 3; 0.33 for mRS level 4; 0 for mRS level 5; and 0 for mRS level 6. For trials with unidirectional treatment effects, the UW-mRS paralleled the ordinal mRS and outperformed dichotomous mRS analyses. Both the UW-mRS and the ordinal mRS were statistically significant in 6 of 8 unidirectional effect trials, whereas dichotomous analyses were statistically significant in 2 to 4 of 8. In bidirectional effect trials, both the UW-mRS and ordinal tests captured the divergent treatment effects by showing neutral results, whereas some dichotomized analyses showed positive results. Mean utility differences in trials with statistically significant positive results ranged from 0.026 to 0.249.

CONCLUSIONS

A UW-mRS performs similar to the standard ordinal mRS in detecting treatment effects in actual stroke trials and ensures the quantitative outcome is a valid reflection of patient-centered benefits.

Cost-Effectiveness of Carotid Plaque MR Imaging as a Stroke Risk Stratification Tool in Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a decision-making rule based on the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging assessment of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two competing stroke prevention strategies were compared: (a) an intensive medical therapy-based management strategy versus (b) an imaging-based strategy in which the subset of patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis with IPH on MR images would undergo immediate carotid endarterectomy in addition to ongoing intensive medical therapy. Patients in the medical therapy-only group could undergo carotid endarterectomy only with substantial carotid artery stenosis disease progression. Lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs were modeled for patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis with 70%-89% and 50%-69% carotid artery stenosis at presentation. Risks of stroke and complications from carotid endarterectomy, costs, and quality of life values were estimated from published sources.

RESULTS

The medical therapy-based strategy had a lower life expectancy (12.65 years vs 12.95 years), lower lifetime QALYs (9.96 years vs 10.05 years), and lower lifetime costs ($13 699 vs $15 297) when compared with the MR imaging IPH-based strategy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for the MR imaging IPH strategy compared with the medical therapy-based strategy was $16 000 per QALY by using a base-case 70-year-old patient. When using starting patient ages of 60 and 80 years, the ICERs for the MR imaging IPH strategy were $3100 per QALY and $73 000 per QALY, respectively. The ICERs for the MR imaging IPH strategy were slightly higher at all ages for 50%-69% stenosis but remained below a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY for starting ages of 60 and 70 years.

CONCLUSION

MR imaging IPH can be used as a cost-effective tool to identify patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis most likely to benefit from carotid endarterectomy.

An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance, including diffusion-weighted imaging, in patients with transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke: a systematic review, meta-analysis and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke need rapid treatment of risk factors to prevent recurrent stroke. ABCD2 score or magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted brain imaging (MR DWI) may help assessment and treatment.

OBJECTIVES

Is MR with DWI cost-effective in stroke prevention compared with computed tomography (CT) brain scanning in all patients, in specific subgroups or as 'one-stop' brain-carotid imaging? What is the current UK availability of services for stroke prevention?

DATA SOURCES

Published literature; stroke registries, audit and randomised clinical trials; national databases; survey of UK clinical and imaging services for stroke; expert opinion.

REVIEW METHODS

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of published/unpublished data. Decision-analytic model of stroke prevention including on a 20-year time horizon including nine representative imaging scenarios.

RESULTS

The pooled recurrent stroke rate after TIA (53 studies, 30,558 patients) is 5.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9% to 5.9%] by 7 days, and 6.7% (5.2% to 8.7%) at 90 days. ABCD2 score does not identify patients with key stroke causes or identify mimics: 66% of specialist-diagnosed true TIAs and 35-41% of mimics had an ABCD2 score of ≥ 4; 20% of true TIAs with ABCD2 score of < 4 had key risk factors. MR DWI (45 studies, 9078 patients) showed an acute ischaemic lesion in 34.3% (95% CI 30.5% to 38.4%) of TIA, 69% of minor stroke patients, i.e. two-thirds of TIA patients are DWI negative. TIA mimics (16 studies, 14,542 patients) make up 40-45% of patients attending clinics. UK survey (45% response) showed most secondary prevention started prior to clinic, 85% of primary brain imaging was same-day CT; 51-54% of patients had MR, mostly additional to CT, on average 1 week later; 55% omitted blood-sensitive MR sequences. Compared with 'CT scan all patients' MR was more expensive and no more cost-effective, except for patients presenting at > 1 week after symptoms to diagnose haemorrhage; strategies that triaged patients with low ABCD2 scores for slow investigation or treated DWI-negative patients as non-TIA/minor stroke prevented fewer strokes and increased costs. 'One-stop' CT/MR angiographic-plus-brain imaging was not cost-effective.

LIMITATIONS

Data on sensitivity/specificity of MR in TIA/minor stroke, stroke costs, prognosis of TIA mimics and accuracy of ABCD2 score by non-specialists are sparse or absent; all analysis had substantial heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic resonance with DWI is not cost-effective for secondary stroke prevention. MR was most helpful in patients presenting at > 1 week after symptoms if blood-sensitive sequences were used. ABCD2 score is unlikely to facilitate patient triage by non-stroke specialists. Rapid specialist assessment, CT brain scanning and identification of serious underlying stroke causes is the most cost-effective stroke prevention strategy.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Health state descriptions to elicit stroke values: do they reflect patient experience of stroke?

Background

To explore whether stroke health state descriptions used in preference elicitation studies reflect patients’ experiences by comparing published descriptions with qualitative studies exploring patients’ lived experience.

Methods

Two literature reviews were conducted: on stroke health state descriptions used in direct preference elicitation studies and the qualitative literature on patients’ stroke experience. Content and comparative thematic analysis was used to identify characteristics of stroke experience in both types of study which were further mapped onto health related quality of life (HRQOL) domains relevant to stroke. Two authors reviewed the coded text, categories and domains.

Results

We included 35 studies: seven direct preference elicitation studies and 28 qualitative studies on patients’ experience. Fifteen coded categories were identified in the published health state descriptions and 29 in the qualitative studies. When mapped onto domains related to HRQOL, qualitative studies included a wider range of categories in every domain that were relevant to the patients’ experience than health state descriptions.

Conclusions

Variation exists in the content of health state descriptions for all levels of stroke severity, most critically with a major disjuncture between the content of descriptions and how stroke is experienced by patients. There is no systematic method for constructing the content/scope of health state descriptions for stroke, and the patient perspective is not incorporated, producing descriptions with major deficits in reflecting the lived experience of stroke, and raising serious questions about the values derived from such descriptions and conclusions based on these values.

Cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in the Portuguese setting

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

To project the long-term cost-effectiveness of treating non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients for stroke prevention with rivaroxaban compared to warfarin in Portugal.

METHODS

A Markov model was used that included health and treatment states describing the management and consequences of AF and its treatment. The model's time horizon was set at a patient's lifetime and each cycle at three months. The analysis was conducted from a societal perspective and a 5% discount rate was applied to both costs and outcomes. Treatment effect data were obtained from the pivotal phase III ROCKET AF trial. The model was also populated with utility values obtained from the literature and with cost data derived from official Portuguese sources. The outcomes of the model included life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), incremental costs, and associated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Extensive sensitivity analyses were undertaken to further assess the findings of the model. As there is evidence indicating underuse and underprescription of warfarin in Portugal, an additional analysis was performed using a mixed comparator composed of no treatment, aspirin, and warfarin, which better reflects real-world prescribing in Portugal.

RESULTS

This cost-effectiveness analysis produced an ICER of €3895/QALY for the base-case analysis (vs. warfarin) and of €6697/QALY for the real-world prescribing analysis (vs. mixed comparator). The findings were robust when tested in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that rivaroxaban may be a cost-effective alternative compared with warfarin or real-world prescribing in Portugal.

Carotid artery stenosis: cost-effectiveness of assessment of cerebrovascular reserve to guide treatment of asymptomatic patients

PURPOSE

To project and compare the lifetime health benefits, health care costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness of a decision rule based on assessment of cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) compared with medical therapy and immediate revascularization in asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis for prevention of stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The three strategies compared included immediate revascularization (carotid endarterectomy) and ongoing medical therapy (with antiplatelet, statin, and antihypertensive agents plus lifestyle modification), medical therapy-based treatment with revascularization only for patients who progressed, and use of a CVR-based decision rule for treatment in which patients with CVR impairment undergo immediate revascularization and all others receive medical therapy. A decision analytic model was developed to project lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs for asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis with 70%-89% carotid luminal narrowing at presentation. Risks of clinical events, costs, and quality-of-life values were estimated on the basis of those in published sources. The analysis was conducted from a health care system perspective, with health and cost outcomes discounted at 3%. Results Total costs per person and lifetime QALYs were lowest for the medical therapy-based strategy ($14 597, 9.848 QALYs), followed by CVR testing ($16 583, 9.934 QALYs) and immediate revascularization ($20 950, 9.940 QALYs). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the CVR-based strategy compared with the medical therapy-based strategy was $23 000 per QALY and for the immediate revascularization versus the CVR-based strategy was $760 000 per QALY.

RESULTS

were sensitive to variations in model inputs for revascularization costs and complication risks and baseline stroke risk.

CONCLUSION

CVR testing can be a cost-effective tool to identify asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis who are most likely to benefit from revascularization.

Warfarin monitoring economic evaluation of point of care self-monitoring compared to clinic settings

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cost-effectiveness of home-based point-of-care self-monitoring compared to clinic-based care for patients managed on long-term warfarin medication. Current evidence is inconsistent; results should reduce uncertainty and inform service delivery.

METHODS

A Markov model compared self-testing and self-management, using point-of-care devices to usual care in patients with atrial fibrillation and mechanical heart valves. The primary clinical end-points were stroke and mortality avoided; costs and utilities were associated with these events. The costs of warfarin monitoring were included in the model.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, self-monitoring saved £1187 per person compared to usual care. Patients who self-monitored had notably fewer strokes and deaths. The results were sensitive to life-years gained and cost of the device. If the NHS purchased the device, financial break-even was achieved at the end of the second year; if the patient bought the device the NHS saved money every year. If 10% of the current 950,000 patients switched to point-of-care devices for 10 years, the NHS could save over £112million.

LIMITATIONS

Clinical studies had a relatively short duration and only data on composite end-points were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

With training, self-testing and self-management are safe, reliable, and cost-effective for a sizable proportion of patients receiving long-term warfarin. Compared to clinic-based services, self-monitoring offers the NHS the potential to make cost savings and release bed-days by reducing the number of strokes experienced by these high-risk patients.

Economic evaluation of rivaroxaban in stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation in Greece

Background

To undertake an economic evaluation of rivaroxaban relative to the standard of care for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in Greece.

Methods

An existing Markov model designed to reflect the natural progression of AF patients through different health states, in the course of three month cycles, was adapted to the Greek setting. The analysis was undertaken from a payer perspective. Baseline event rates and efficacy data were obtained from the ROCKET-AF trial for rivaroxaban and vitamin-K-antagonists (VKAs). Utility values for events were based on literature. A treatment-related disutility of 0.05 was applied to the VKA arm. Costs assigned to each health state reflect the year 2013. An incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated where the outcome was quality-adjusted-life year (QALY) and life-years gained. Probabilistic analysis was undertaken to deal with uncertainty. The horizon of analysis was over patient life time and both cost and outcomes were discounted at 3.5%.

Results

Based on safety-on-treatment data, rivaroxaban was associated with a 0.22 increment in QALYs compared to VKA. The average total lifetime cost of rivaroxaban-treated patients was €239 lower compared to VKA. Rivaroxaban was associated with additional drug acquisition cost (€4,033) and reduced monitoring cost (-€3,929). Therefore, rivaroxaban was a dominant alternative over VKA. Probabilistic analysis revealed that there is a 100% probability of rivaroxaban being cost-effective versus VKA at a willingness to pay threshold of €30,000/QALY gained.

Conclusion

Rivaroxaban may represent for payers a dominant option for the prevention of thromboembolic events in moderate to high risk AF patients in Greece.

Cost-effectiveness of total disc replacement versus multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain: a Norwegian multicenter RCT

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of total disc replacement (TDR) versus multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The existing studies on CLBP report cost-effectiveness of fusion surgery versus disc replacement and fusion versus rehabilitation. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of TDR versus MDR.

METHODS

Between April 2004 and May 2007, 173 patients with CLBP (>1 yr) were randomized to TDR (n = 86) or MDR (n = 87). Treatment effects (Euro Qol 5D [EQ-5D] and Short Form 6D [SF-6D]) and relevant direct and indirect costs at 6 weeks and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment were assessed. Gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) after 2 years was estimated. Cost-effectiveness was expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

RESULTS

The mean QALYs gained (standard deviation) using EQ-5D was 1.29 (0.53) in the TDR group and 0.95 (0.52) in the MDR group, a significant difference of 0.34 (95% confidence interval 0.18-0.50). The mean total cost per patient in the TDR group was &OV0556;87,622 (58,351) compared with &OV0556;74,116 (58,237) in the MDR group, which was not significantly different (95% confidence interval: -4041 to 31,755). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the TDR procedure varied from &OV0556;39,748 using EQ-5D (TDR cost-effective) to &OV0556;128,328 using SF-6D (TDR not cost-effective). The dropout rate was 20% (15% TDR group, 24% MDR group). Five patients moved from the MDR to the TDR group, whereas 9 patients randomized to TDR declined surgery. Using per-protocol analysis instead of intention-to-treat analysis indicated that TDR was not cost-effective, irrespective of the use of EQ-5D or SF-6D.

CONCLUSION

In this study, TDR was cost-effective compared with MDR after 2 years when using EQ-5D for assessing QALYs gained and a willingness to pay of &OV0556;74,600 (kr500,000/QALY). TDR was not cost-effective when SF-6D was used; therefore, our results should be interpreted with caution. Longer follow-up is needed to accurately assess the cost-effectiveness of TDR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.

A systematic literature review of cardiovascular event utilities

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) results in half of the non-communicable disease-related deaths worldwide. Rising treatment costs have increased the need for cost-utility models designed to compare the value of new and existing therapies. Cost-utility models require utilities, values representing the strength of preferences for various health states. This systematic literature review aimed to identify and evaluate utilities reported for stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and angina. In total, 83 unique studies were identified that reported utilities for these events. Approximately two-thirds reported utility values for stroke, and most used the EuroQoL five dimension to derive utilities. Utility values were lower in patients who experienced cardiovascular (CV) events than in patients who did not. The utility estimates for each condition varied greatly, likely due to differences in assessment methodologies and patient populations. This variability must be considered when choosing values for cost-utility models. Comparisons among reported utilities are further complicated by inconsistent CV event definitions.

Cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban versus warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation in the Belgian healthcare setting

BACKGROUND

Warfarin, an inexpensive drug that has been available for over half a century, has been the mainstay of anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, rivaroxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) which offers some distinct advantages over warfarin, the standard of care in a world without NOACs, has been introduced and is now recommended by international guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate, from a Belgian healthcare payer perspective, the cost-effectiveness of rivaroxaban versus use of warfarin for the treatment of patients with non-valvular AF at moderate to high risk.

METHODS

A Markov model was designed and populated with local cost estimates, safety-on-treatment clinical results from the pivotal phase III ROCKET AF trial and utility values obtained from the literature.

RESULTS

Rivaroxaban treatment was associated with fewer ischemic strokes and systemic embolisms (0.308 vs. 0.321 events), intracranial bleeds (0.048 vs. 0.063), and myocardial infarctions (0.082 vs. 0.095) per patient compared with warfarin. Over a lifetime time horizon, rivaroxaban led to a reduction of 0.042 life-threatening events per patient, and increases of 0.111 life-years and 0.094 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) versus warfarin treatment. This resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €8,809 per QALY or €7,493 per life-year gained. These results are based on valuated data from 2010. Sensitivity analysis indicated that these results were robust and that rivaroxaban is cost-effective compared with warfarin in 87 % of cases should a willingness-to-pay threshold of €35,000/QALY gained be considered.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis suggests that rivaroxaban is a cost-effective alternative to warfarin therapy for the prevention of stroke in patients with AF in the Belgian healthcare setting.

Modeling stroke management: a qualitative review of cost-effectiveness analyses

OBJECTIVE

To review recent economic analyses and determine if means of improving methodology used in modeling stroke management may exist.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

The Medline database was searched for pharmacoeconomic models of treatments or interventions in acute, non-transitory ischemic stroke. Search terms were: stroke, cost, cost-effectiveness, cost analysis, stroke management, model, modeling, and economic. All English-language articles published from January 1997 to January 2008 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Ten Markov models and three decision analytical models were identified. All models had a societal perspective and all but one had lifetime horizons. They were all based on common patient states of disability, mortality and recurrence of stroke. Inputs used in the models were transparent and valid. Intracranial hemorrhage, cardiovascular events and data closely related to local settings were not systematically considered. One-way sensitivity analyses were the most common, but few parameters were tested and these varied between models. Consensus key drivers were therefore difficult to determine.

CONCLUSION

The overall structure of the models reviewed was sound. However, they should include more systematically cardiovascular events and intracranial hemorrhage, as well as local epidemiological data. Further multi-way sensitivity analyses would help to identify key cost drivers with greater precision and robustness.

Cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel in STEMI patients in the Netherlands: a model based on the CLARITY trial

OBJECTIVE

This study assesses the costs and effects of combination treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin in comparison to aspirin alone in patients with an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a Dutch setting.

METHODS

A decision tree model is used to combine data from different sources about efficacy, epidemiology and costs. In the short-run, cost-effectiveness is based on efficacy data derived from the CLARITY trial. The cost-effectiveness of continued treatment is addressed by analysing which conditions need to be fulfilled to deem the strategy 'cost-effective', and discussing whether it is likely that it is. Estimates concerning the benefits of preventing events are derived from Swedish registries. Approximations of both direct and indirect costs are derived from the literature. Effects are expressed as life years gained and Quality Adjust Life Years (QALYs). Uncertainties are addressed by uni- and multivariate sensitivity analyses with and without taking account of the dependency between the separate ischaemic events.

RESULTS

A treatment regimen similar to that of the CLARITY trial, including patients similar to those in the trial, is estimated to result in 0.05 additional life years and 0.062 additional quality adjusted life years for a cost that is euro1929 lower than aspirin therapy. Continuation of treatment outside the trial period is expected to result in ICERs of below euro20,000 per QALY as long as the real risk reduction of combination treatment is greater than 0.487% per year.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that clopidogrel therapy combined with aspirin, according to the regimen seen in CLARITY, and using data from Swedish registries to inform the model, is cost-effective. Sensitivity analyses suggest that the model is robust to a wide range of parameter estimates, including those based on data from Swedish registries. Continued treatment is very likely to be cost effective in light of all the indirect evidence.

Costs and consequences of clopidogrel versus aspirin for secondary prevention of ischaemic events in (high-risk) atherosclerotic patients in Sweden: a lifetime model based on the CAPRIE trial and high-risk CAPRIE subpopulations

BACKGROUND

Antiplatelet therapy plays a central role in the prevention of atherothrombotic events. Both acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and clopidogrel have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in various subgroups of patients with vascular disease.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost effectiveness of clopidogrel versus aspirin in Sweden for the prevention of atherothrombotic events based on CAPRIE trial data. The focus of this study is on two high-risk subpopulations: (i) patients with pre-existing symptomatic atherosclerotic disease; and (ii) patients with polyvascular disease.

METHODS

A Markov model combining clinical, epidemiological and cost data was used to assess the economic value of clopidogrel compared with aspirin during a patient's lifetime. A societal perspective was used, with costs stated in Swedish kronor (SEK), year 2007 values. For the first 2 years, the clinical input for the model was based on the relevant subpopulations in the CAPRIE trial. Thereafter, transition probabilities were extrapolated, taking account of increased risks related to age and to a history of events. Cost effectiveness of 2 years of therapy is presented as cost per life-year gained (LYG) and as cost per QALY. Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate robustness of results.

RESULTS

For patients resembling the total CAPRIE population, who were treated with clopidogrel, the expected cost per LYG was SEK217,806 and the cost per QALY was estimated at SEK169,154. For the high-risk CAPRIE subpopulations, costs per QALY were lowest for patients with pre-existing symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (SEK38,153). Using a 'willingness-to-pay' perspective indicated that treatment with clopidogrel instead of aspirin in high-risk patients is associated with a high probability for cost effectiveness; 81% using a threshold of SEK100,000 per QALY and 98% using a threshold of SEK500,000 per QALY. Overall, the results appeared to be robust over the sensitivity analyses performed.

CONCLUSION

When considering the cost-effectiveness categorization as proposed by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, clopidogrel appears to be associated with costs per QALY that range from intermediate in the total CAPRIE population to low in high-risk atherosclerotic patients.

Quantifying the value of stroke disability outcomes: WHO global burden of disease project disability weights for each level of the modified Rankin Scale

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) categorizes poststroke disability among 7 broad, ordinal grades, but the interval distances between these levels are spaced along the disability spectrum have not been previously investigated.

METHODS

We used the person trade-off procedure developed by the World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Project (WHO-GBDP) to generate disability weights (DWs) ranging from 0 (normal) to 1 (dead) for each of 7 mRS grades. The ratings of an international, 9-member panel of stroke experts were combined by a modified Delphi process.

RESULTS

DWs (95% CI) were 0 for mRS 0, 0.046 (0.004 to 0.088) for mRS 1, 0.212 (0.175 to 0.250) for mRS 2, 0.331 (0.292 to 0.371) for mRS 3, 0.652 (0.625 to 0.678) for mRS 4, 0.944 (0.873 to 1.015) for mRS 5, and 1.0 for mRS 6. DWs of adjacent mRS levels were significantly different (P<0.001 for all). Coefficients of variation showed a high degree of consensus for DWs among panel members. DWs placed each of the 5 intermediate mRS states in different disability class levels of the WHO-GBDP anchor conditions and identified natural clusters to use when reducing the mRS to fewer categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Formal DW assignment confirms that the mRS is an ordered but unequally spaced scale. The availability of DWs for each mRS level now permits direct comparison of each poststroke outcome state with the outcomes of hundreds of other diseases in the WHO-GBDP and the expression of stroke burden in different populations by using the uniform metric of disability-adjusted life-years lost.

Predictors of life satisfaction in stroke survivors and spousal caregivers after inpatient rehabilitation

A global measure of life satisfaction has become increasingly important as an adjunctive outcome of healthcare interventions for people with disabilities, including those caused by stroke. Life satisfaction of stroke survivors mayaffectcaregivingspouses, as well. The purpose of this study was to identify, among many physical and psychosocial variables, specific variables that were associated with life satisfaction at 12 months after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, and variables that were predictive of life satisfaction 1 year later (at 24 months). Between 12 and 24 months, life satisfaction decreased for stroke survivors, while it increased for caregiving spouses. The relationship between the couple (mutuality) was the only variable that was a significant predictor of life satisfaction for both stroke survivors and their spouses.

Model-based cost-effectiveness analyses for the treatment of acute stroke events: a review and summary of challenges

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the methodological approaches used in published decision-analytic models evaluating interventions for acute stroke treatment, to highlight key components of decision-analytic models of stroke treatment, and to discuss challenges for developing stroke decision models.

METHODS

A review of the published literature was performed using Medline, to identify studies involving mathematical decision models to evaluate interventions for acute stroke treatment. Articles were analyzed to determine key components of a stroke model and to note areas in which data are lacking.

RESULTS

We identified 13 published models of acute stroke treatment. These models typically possessed a short-term treatment module and a long-term post-treatment module. The following aspects of economic modeling were found to be relevant for developing a stroke model: modeling approach and health state; health state transition probabilities; estimation of short-term, long-term, and indirect costs; health state utilities; poststroke mortality; time horizon; model validation; and estimation of parameter uncertainty.

CONCLUSIONS

Data gaps have limited the development of economic models in stroke to date. In order to more accurately assess the long-term incremental impact of a new treatment of stroke, future research is needed to address these data gaps. We recommend that the complexity of models for examining the cost-effectiveness of an acute stroke treatment be kept to a minimum such that it can incorporate the currently available data without making a large number of assumptions around the data.

Composite measures for hospital quality using quality-adjusted life years

Developing clinically meaningful summary measures of health-care quality is key to inferring quality of care. Current summary measures use a number of different approaches to weight their individual measures but rarely use weights based on clinical 'importance'. Such an approach would help to focus quality improvement efforts on areas likely to have the largest impact on health outcomes. Using coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery as a case study, we weight and combine 11 process, complication, and survival measures to summarize differences in quality-adjusted life expectancy 1 year following surgery for a sample of hospitals. We use a fully Bayesian analysis to estimate 1-year survival outcomes using a hierarchical exponential survival model. We then estimate the expected utility of the year following surgery for each patient using complication probabilities fitted from hierarchical models and utility values from the literature. We estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for each hospital as the utility-weighted average 1-year survival probability and then estimate 'incremental QALYs' by taking the difference in QALYs for each hospital relative to a comparison group that reflects the average performance of all hospitals in the state. We illustrate our framework by estimating incremental QALYs for 14 hospitals performing CABG surgery in Massachusetts in 2003 and find that a composite measure based on QALYs can change the classification of quality outliers relative to conventional mortality measures.

Predictors of life satisfaction among stroke survivors and spousal caregivers: a narrative review

Stroke is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. It affects 15 million people globally and 60% either die or are permanently disabled as a result of stroke. In a rapidly aging population, stroke is expected to continue to be a major concern for survivors, their families and health and social care providers. Most stroke survivors live in the community and are assisted by family caregivers, especially spouses. However, stroke-related impairments and poststroke depression interfere with recovery and result in impaired relationships and reduced life satisfaction for the survivors and their spouses. New interventions are needed to assist stroke survivors and their spouses to cope with the many physical, emotional and environmental changes that result after stroke and enable survivors to become reintegrated into the community.

Quality of life 6 months after acute stroke: impact of initial treatment in a stroke unit and general medical wards

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Few studies have assessed the influence of the organization of stroke care on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The present study compared HRQoL 6 months after stroke between subjects who had been treated in an acute stroke unit (SU) and those treated in general medical wards (GMW).

METHODS

In total 550 subjects > or = 60 years of age with acute stroke were prospectively allocated according to date of birth (day of the month) to treatment in an SU with short length of stay or GMWs. In the present study, 325 survivors at 5 days with Scandinavian stroke scale (SSS) orientation score > 5 and SSS speech score > 5 were included. We assessed HRQoL with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire 6 months after stroke onset and estimated utility values from the SF-36 scores.

RESULTS

Of the 325 eligible subjects, 158 were allocated to an SU and 167 to GMWs. Among 296 survivors at 6 months, 115 subjects (79% of survivors) in the SU group completed the questionnaire and 121 (80%) in the GMW group. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups on any of the 8 SF-36 scales or the 2 component summary scales. After integrating death in the comparison of HRQoL, there was still no difference in outcome between the groups.

CONCLUSION

An acute SU with a short length of stay, offering early treatment and rehabilitation, could not show an improvement in the HRQoL of stroke patients > or = 60 years 6 months after stroke compared with initial treatment in GMWs.