Cost-Utility of Video-Electroencephalography Monitoring Followed by Surgery in Adults with Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy in Thailand

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed whether video-electroencephalography (VEEG) monitoring followed by surgery was cost-effective in adult patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy under Thai health care context, as compared with continued medical treatment without VEEG.

METHODS

The total cost (in Thai Baht, THB) and effectiveness (in quality-adjusted life years, QALYs) were estimated over a lifetime horizon, using a decision tree and a Markov model. Data on short-term surgical outcomes, direct health care costs, and utilities were collected from Thai patients in a specialized hospital. Long-term outcomes and relative effectiveness of the surgery over medical treatment were derived, using systematic reviews of published literature.

RESULTS

Seizure-free rates at years 1 and 2 after surgery were 79.4% and 77.8%, respectively. Costs of VEEG and surgery plus 1-year follow-up care were 216,782 THB, of which the VEEG and other necessary investigations were the main cost drivers (42.8%). On the basis of societal perspective, the total cost over a 40-year horizon accrued to 1,168,679 THB for the VEEG option, 64,939 THB higher than that for no VEEG. The VEEG option contributed to an additional 1.50 QALYs over no VEEG, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 43,251 THB (USD 1236) per 1 QALY gained. Changes in key parameters had a minimal impact on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Accounting for uncertainty, there was an 84% probability that the VEEG option was cost-effective on the basis of Thailand's cost-effective threshold of 160,000 THB/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, VEEG monitoring followed by epilepsy surgery was cost-effective in Thailand. Therefore it should be recommended for health insurance coverage.

Metformin for the treatment of gestational diabetes: An updated meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of metformin and insulin in the treatment of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

A meta-analysis was conducted by including randomized controlled trials comparing metformin and insulin in GDM. An electronic search was conducted to identify relevant studies. Data were synthesized by a random effects meta-analysis model. A Bayesian analysis was also performed to account for uncertainties in the treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

Eight clinical trials involving 1712 individuals were included in the final analysis. The pooled estimates of metformin-insulin differences were very small and statistically non-significant in fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose and HbA1c, measured at 36-37 weeks of gestation. Notably, 14-46% of those receiving metformin required additional insulin. Compared with the insulin group, metformin treatment was associated with a lower incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (relative risk, RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.58-0.93; P=0.01) and of neonatal intensive care admission (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.59-0.97; P=0.03). Bayesian analysis revealed that the efficacy of metformin was consistently higher than insulin with a probability of over 98% on these two neonatal complications. Other outcomes were not significantly different between the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

In women with gestational diabetes, metformin use and insulin therapy have comparable glycemic control profile, but metformin use was associated with lower risk of neonatal hypoglycemia.