The cost of treating diabetic ketoacidosis in an adolescent population in the UK: a national survey of hospital resource use

AIMS

Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes commonly experience episodes of ketoacidosis. In 2014, we conducted a nationwide survey on the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in young people. The survey reported how individual adolescents with diabetes were managed. However, the costs of treating diabetic ketoacidosis were not reported.

METHODS

Using this mixed population sample of adolescents, we took a 'bottom-up' approach to cost analysis aiming to determine the total expense associated with treating diabetic ketoacidosis. The data were derived using the information from the national UK survey of 71 individuals, collected via questionnaires sent to specialist paediatric diabetes services in England and Wales.

RESULTS

Several assumptions had to be made when analysing the data because the initial survey collection tool was not designed with a health economic model in mind. The mean time to resolution of diabetic ketoacidosis was 15.0 h [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.2, 16.8] and the mean total length of stay was 2.4 days (95% CI 1.9, 3.0). Based on data for individuals and using the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) guidelines, the cost analysis shows that for this cohort, the average cost for an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis was £1387 (95% CI 1120, 1653). Regression analysis showed a significant cost saving of £762 (95% CI 140, 1574; P = 0.04) among those treated using BSPED guidelines.

CONCLUSION

We have used a bottom-up approach to calculate the costs of an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis in adolescents. These data suggest that following treatment guidelines can significantly lower the costs for managing episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Evidence in medicine: math versus biology!

The drive for optimal clinical decisions based on "best" evidence has gained significant momentum in the last few decades. [...]

Timeliness of the oncology drug review process for public funding in Canada

The oncology drug review process for public funding in Canada (Figure 1) encompasses both. [...]

The cost of treating diabetic ketoacidosis in the UK: a national survey of hospital resource use

AIM

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a commonly encountered metabolic emergency. In 2014, a national survey was conducted looking at the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adult patients across the UK. The survey reported the clinical management of individual patients as well as institutional factors that teams felt were important in helping to deliver that care. However, the costs of treating diabetic ketoacidosis were not reported.

METHODS

We used a 'bottom up' approach to cost analysis to determine the total expense associated with treating diabetic ketoacidosis in a mixed population sample. The data were derived from the source data from the national UK survey of 283 individual patients collected via questionnaires sent to hospitals across the country.

RESULTS

Because the initial survey collection tool was not designed with a health economic model in mind, several assumptions were made when analysing the data. The mean and median time in hospital was 5.6 and 2.7 days respectively. Based on the individual patient data and using the Joint British Diabetes Societies Inpatient Care Group guidelines, the cost analysis shows that for this cohort, the average cost for an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis was £2064 per patient (95% confidence intervals: 1800, 2563).

CONCLUSION

Despite relatively short stays in hospital, costs for managing episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults were relatively high. Assumptions made in the calculations did not consider prolonged hospital stay due to comorbidities or costs incurred as a loss of productivity. Therefore, the actual costs to the healthcare system and society in general are likely to be substantially higher.

The prioritization preferences of pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review members and the Canadian public: a stated-preferences comparison

The pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review (pcodr) is responsible for making coverage recommendations to provincial and territorial drug plans about cancer drugs. Within the pcodr process, small groups of experts (including public representatives) consider the characteristics of each drug and make a funding recommendation. It is important to understand how the values and preferences of those decision-makers compare with the values and preferences of the citizens on whose behalf they are acting. In the present study, stated preference methods were used to elicit prioritization preferences from a representative sample of the Canadian public and a small convenience sample of pcodr committee members. The results suggested that neither group sought strictly to maximize quality-adjusted life year (qaly) gains and that they were willing to sacrifice some efficiency to prioritize particular patient characteristics. Both groups had a significant aversion to prioritizing older patients, patients in good pre-treatment health, and patients in poor post-treatment health. Those results are reassuring, in that they suggest that pcodr decision-maker preferences are consistent with those of the Canadian public, but they also imply that, like the larger public, decision-makers might value health gains to some patients more or less highly than the same gains to others. The implicit nature of pcodr decision criteria means that the acceptability or limits of such differential valuations are unclear. Likewise, there is no guidance as to which potential equity factors-for example, age, initial severity, and so on-are legitimate and which are not. More explicit guidance could improve the consistency and transparency of pcodr recommendations.

Cost-effectiveness of febrile neutropenia prevention with primary versus secondary G-CSF prophylaxis for adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: a systematic review

The adoption of primary (PP) versus secondary prophylaxis (SP) of febrile neutropenia (FN), with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF), for adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) regimens in breast cancer (BC) could be affected by its "value for money". This systematic review examined (i) cost-effectiveness of PP versus SP, (ii) FN threshold at which PP is cost-effective including the guidelines 20 % threshold and (iii) potential impact of G-CSF efficacy assumptions on outcomes. The systematic review identified all cost-effectiveness/cost-utility analyses (CEA/CUA) involving PP versus SP G-CSF for AC in BC that met predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Five relevant CEA/CUA were identified. These CEA/CUA examined different AC regimens (TAC = 2; FEC-D = 1; TC = 2) and G-CSF formulations (filgrastim "F" = 4; pegfilgrastim "P" = 4) with varying baseline FN-risk (range 22-32 %), mortality (range 1.4-6.0 %) and utility (range 0.33-0.47). The potential G-CSF benefit, including FN risk reduction with P versus F, varied among models. Overall, relative to SP, PP was not associated with good value for money, as per commonly utilized CE thresholds, at the baseline FN rates examined, including the consensus 20 % FN threshold, in most of these studies. The value for money associated with PP versus SP was primarily dependent on G-CSF benefit assumptions including reduced FN mortality and improved BC survival. PP G-CSF for FN prevention in BC patients undergoing AC may not be a cost-effective strategy at the guidelines 20 % FN threshold.

The politicization of oncology drug funding reviews in Canada

An article in this issue by Srikanthan, [...]

Cost-utility of adjuvant zoledronic acid in patients with breast cancer and low estrogen levels

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant zoledronic acid (za) appears to improve disease-free survival (dfs) in women with early-stage breast cancer and low levels of estrogen (lle) because of induced or natural menopause. Characterizing the cost-utility (cu) of this therapy could help to determine its role in clinical practice.

METHODS

Using the perspective of the Canadian health care system, we examined the cu of adjuvant endocrine therapy with or without za in women with early-stage endocrine-sensitive breast cancer and lle. A Markov model was used to compute the cumulative costs in Canadian dollars and the quality-adjusted life-years (qalys) gained from each adjuvant strategy, discounted at a rate of 5% annually. The model incorporated the dfs and fracture benefits of adjuvant za. Probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine key model parameters.

RESULTS

Compared with a no-za strategy, adjuvant za in the induced and natural menopause groups was associated with, respectively, $7,825 and $7,789 in incremental costs and 0.46 and 0.34 in qaly gains for cu ratios of $17,007 and $23,093 per qaly gained. In one-way sensitivity analyses, the results were most sensitive to changes in the za dfs benefit. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested a 100% probability of adjuvant za being a cost-effective strategy at a threshold of $100,000 per qaly gained.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on available data, adjuvant za appears to be a cost-effective strategy in women with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer and lle, having cu ratios well below accepted thresholds.

Identification of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in administrative healthcare databases

Objective

Our aim was to validate and compare decision rules for the identification of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in administrative healthcare databases.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using administrative health care data from a population of 1 million people with access to universal healthcare. Information was available on hospital discharges and physician billings over a 10-year period. Each SLE case was matched 4:1 by age and gender to randomly selected controls. Seven case definitions were applied to identify SLE cases and their performance compared with the diagnosis by a rheumatologist.

Results

We identified 373 SLE cases and 1492 non-SLE controls, all of whom had been reviewed by a rheumatologist. The overall accuracy of the case definitions for SLE cases varied between 88.2–95.6% with a kappa statistic between 0.53–0.86. The sensitivity varied from 41.0–86.6% and the specificity between 92.4–99.9%. In a total reference population of 1 million the mean estimated annual incidence of SLE was between 29–255 and the mean estimated annual prevalence was between 172–920.

Conclusion

The accuracy of case definitions for the identification of SLE patients in administrative healthcare databases is variable and this should be considered when comparing results across studies. This variability may also be used to advantage in different study designs depending on the relative importance of sensitivity and specificity for identifying the population of interest to the research question.

Abstract P6-07-07: Febrile neutropenia primary prophylaxis with granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) in breast cancer

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) during adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with significant morbidity, mortality risk and incremental costs. It could also lead to chemotherapy dose reductions and worse cancer outcomes. Patients who develop FN are often prescribed secondary G-CSF prophylaxis with subsequent chemotherapy cycles to decrease the risk of further episodes of infection. Practice guidelines also recommend primary G-CSF prophylaxis for: i) patients treated with chemotherapeutic regimens associated with FN risks > 20% and ii) patients treated with regimens associated with 10-20% FN risk in the presence of other patient-related factors that further increase the risk of FN. The adoption of primary G-CSF prophylaxis in clinical practice however depend on the “value for money” associated with G-CSF prophylaxis at various FN risks, where incremental cost-utility values below $100,000 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gains are generally considered to be cost-effective. Aim: To examine the “value for money” associated with primary and secondary G-CSF prophylaxis strategies, compared with a no G-CSF strategy, for adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer at varying FN risks. Methods: The incremental costs and QALYs associated with G-CSF prophylaxis (primary or secondary) were examined through a decision analysis framework that incorporated i) upfront costs of G-CSF treatment (primary or secondary); ii) varying rates of baseline FN risks and iii) downstream costs and QALY gains associated with adjuvant chemotherapy based on chemotherapy dose levels (0, -1, and -2) and G-CSF prophylaxis. The primary analysis involved adjuvant TC (taxotere & cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy regimen delivered every three weeks for four cycles. Probabilities and utilities were derived from the literature, and treatment costs were based on local resources. The robustness of the model to plausible ranges of uncertainty around key parameters / assumptions was examined in sensitivity analyses. Results: Primary G-CSF prophylaxis was a cost-effective strategy compared with secondary G-CSF prophylaxis in the base case scenario. The “value for money” associated with primary G-CSF prophylaxis however was dependant on the baseline FN risk without G-CSF, and assumptions around the impact of chemotherapy dose reductions on breast cancer relapse and mortality. Two way sensitivity analyses illustrated plausible combinations of baseline FN risks and detrimental impact of reduced chemotherapy dose associated with favorable value for money. Conclusions: Primary G-CSF prophylaxis overall appears to be a cost-effective strategy for patients at high FN risk. The FN threshold at which primary G-CSF is associated with good value for money is however dependent on the potential detrimental impact of reduced chemotherapy dose on breast cancer outcomes.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-07-07.

Abstract P6-07-12: Should adjuvant zoledronic acid be used in early-stage, endocrine-sensitive breast cancer?

Introduction: Adjuvant zoledronic acid (ZA) appears to improve disease-free survival (DFS) in women with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer and low estrogen levels (LEL) including post-menopausal women, and pre-menopausal women treated with LHRH agonists. ZA, however, is also associated with potential adverse events and incremental drug acquisition costs. An overall assessment of the long-term clinical and economic impacts of adjuvant ZA may therefore help guide the decision to adopt this novel therapeutic option. We examined the incremental quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) and costs per QALY associated with adjuvant treatment including ZA relative to treatment without ZA in women with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer and LEL. Methods: A Markov model was developed to compute cumulative costs, from a Canadian perspective, and QALY associated with and without adjuvant ZA over a 25-year horizon. Costs, utilities, DFS and adverse events were derived from relevant clinical trials, the literature and local resources. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted for key model parameters. Results: Adjuvant ZA was associated with incremental QALY gains of 0.62 and 0.42 and resultant CU estimates of $12,617 and $19,775 per QALY gained in pre- and post-menopausal women, respectively. CU estimates were robust across reasonable uncertainty ranges in all parameters. Conclusions: Adjuvant ZA appears to be associated with long-term QALY gains in women with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer and LEL as well as CU estimates that are below commonly accepted North American thresholds. The favourable long-term clinical and economic impacts observed in this study further support the use of adjuvant ZA in this setting.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-07-12.

Is adjuvant trastuzumab a cost-effective therapy for HER-2/neu-positive T1bN0 breast cancer?

BACKGROUND

In light of clinical uncertainty and the high acquisition costs of trastuzumab, we examined the value for money associated with concurrent or sequential trastuzumab in women with HER-2/neu-positive breast cancer with small node-negative tumours (T1bN0).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A probabilistic economic model was developed to estimate the likelihood of adjuvant trastuzumab meeting a $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year gained threshold over a range of 10-year recurrence risks by age. The primary analysis took an incremental approach, comparing trastuzumab plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone. A secondary analysis took an 'all-or-nothing' approach, comparing trastuzumab plus chemotherapy with neither treatment.

RESULTS

The primary analysis suggested that concurrent trastuzumab plus adjuvant chemotherapy was likely to meet the $100 000 threshold at recurrence risks of 29-35%. Sequential trastuzumab was less likely to meet such a threshold. The secondary analysis was more favourable for both trastuzumab strategies, but of limited relevance as clinical benefits were predominantly driven by chemotherapy without trastuzumab.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent trastuzumab plus adjuvant chemotherapy appears to offer favourable value for money at the upper ranges of baseline recurrence risks reported to date, although more precise estimates of underlying risk are required to confirm the cost-effectiveness of adjuvant trastuzumab in T1bN0 breast cancer.

PD06-06: Is Adjuvant Trastuzumab Economically Justified in Her-2/neu Positive T1bNO Breast Cancer?

Background: A number of clinical trials and cost-utility analyses of adjuvant trastuzumab (aTZ) for Her-2/neu positive breast cancer suggest favourable efficacy and safety along with acceptable cost-effectiveness. These evaluations, however, were based on patient cohorts with moderate-to-high risk disease, including node positive or high risk node negative disease with tumor sizes greater than 1cm (≥T1cN0). The role of aTZ for patients with lower risk disease, such as T1bN0, remains unclear in light of the varying 10-year relapse risks (10-30%) reported to date.

Objective: To estimate the cost-utility of chemotherapy plus aTZ versus chemotherapy alone in Her-2/neu positive breast cancer patients with lower recurrence risk in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained.

Methods: A state-transition economic model was developed to estimate the incremental costs and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains associated with a strategy of chemotherapy plus aTZ relative to chemotherapy alone over a 25-year analysis horizon. The model consisted of four broad health states, stratified with or without cardiotoxicity: 1) disease-free, 2) local recurrence, 3) distant recurrence and 4) death. Given the variability in reported risk estimates for T1bN0 disease, a range of 10-year baseline recurrence risks (10-30%) in the absence of chemotherapy or aTZ was examined. The clinical benefit of chemotherapy was assumed to differ according to age (<50 vs. ≥50 years). The hazard ratio of recurrence with aTZ (HR=0.64) and the rate of associated adverse cardiac events were derived primarily from the HERA clinical trial. Utility weights and the costs of local and distant cancer recurrence were derived from the literature, while the costs of adjuvant and palliative TZ were derived from our previous work. The model took a direct payer perspective, with costs reported in 2011 Canadian dollars (CDN$). Costs and QALYs were both discounted by 3% annually. The reference analysis assumed 3 years of clinical benefit from chemptherapy and aTZ. A series of one-way sensitivity analyses tested the impact of longer benefit as well as the impacts of measuring outcomes in terms life years rather than QALYs, a lifetime analysis horizon and different HRs.

Results: The reference analysis observed that the cost per QALY gained was greater than CDN$100,000 across the entire range of recurrence risks tested. One-way sensitivity analyses observed that considering life years rather than QALYs, a lifetime analysis horizon, extending the duration of benefit to 5 years or improving the HR to 0.54 each did little to improve the overall economic favorability of aTZ, even at the higher range of recurrence risk.

Conclusions: The cost-utility of adjuvant trastuzumab appears unfavourable in Her-2/neu positive breast cancers with a baseline 10-year relapse risk of less than 30% without treatments, such as in T1bN0 disease. Specific estimates of cost-utility await more precise estimates of the recurrence risk in patients with T1bN0 disease.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD06-06.

The cost-utility of adjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel and cyclophosphamide compared with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in breast cancer

PURPOSE

The adoption of a chemotherapeutic regimen in oncologic practice is a function of both its clinical and its economic impacts on cancer management. For breast cancer, U.S. Oncology trial 9735 reported significant improvements in disease-free and overall survival favoring adjuvant tc (docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles) compared with ac (doxorubicin 60 mg/ m(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles). We carried out an economic evaluation to examine the cost-utility of adjuvant tc relative to ac, in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year (qaly) gained, given the improved breast cancer outcomes and higher costs associated with the tc regimen.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to calculate the cumulative costs and qalys gained over a 10-year horizon for hypothetical cohorts of women with breast cancer treated with ac or with tc. Event rates, costs, and utilities were derived from the literature and local resources. Efficacy and adverse events were based on results reported from U.S. Oncology trial 9735. The model takes a third-party direct payer perspective and reports its results in 2008 Canadian dollars. Costs and benefits were both discounted at 3%.

RESULTS

At a 10-year horizon, tc was associated with $3,960 incremental costs and a 0.24 qaly gain compared with ac, for a favorable cost-utility of $16,753 per qaly gained. Results were robust to model assumptions and input parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Relative to ac, tc is a cost-effective adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, with a cost-effectiveness ratio well below commonly applied thresholds.

The potential economic impact of the 21-gene recurrence score: Guided chemotherapy in a population-based cohort with node-negative and node-positive early-stage breast cancer

201

Background: The 21-gene recurrence score (Oncotype DX: RS) appears to augment clinical-pathological prognostication and predicts adjuvant chemotherapy (chemo) benefits in patients with node-negative (N-) and node-positive (N+) hormone-receptor positive early-stage breast cancer. Economic analyses suggest that RS-guided chemo is a cost-effective strategy in N- breast cancer, but no evaluations were reported for N+ disease based on pre RS chemo utilization in clinical practice. We examined the cost-utility (CU) of a RS-guided chemo strategy, compared to current practice without RS in a population based cohort, in N- and N+ early-stage breast cancer.

Methods: A generic state-transition model was developed to compute cumulative costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) over a 25-year horizon for patients with hormone-receptor positive early-stage breast cancer considered for chemo. We examined outcomes with and without chemo in RS-untested cohorts and in those with low, intermediate and high RS based on the reported prognostic and predictive impact of the RS. Chemo utilizations (current vs RS-guided), costs and utilities were derived from a Nova Scotia population based cohort, local resources and the literature. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for key model assumptions/parameters.

Results: RS-guided chemo strategy is associated with incremental costs and QALY gains compared to chemo with no RS testing in both N- and N+ patients. The resultant CU ratios are $17,141/QALY and $5,772/QALY for N- and N+ disease, respectively. These CU ratios are well below commonly quoted thresholds and were most sensitive to RS-distribution, upfront chemo costs, chemo utilization rates and relative benefits of chemo in various RS-strata.

Conclusions: RS-guided chemo in a population based cohort appears to be a cost-effective strategy, compared to chemo with no RS testing, in N- and N+ early-stage breast cancer.

Intermittent androgen-deprivation therapy in the management of castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa): Results of a multi-institutional randomized prospective clinical trial

131

Background: Patients who develop CRPCa typically continue on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Whether these patients need to remain on ADT has not been well studied. We conducted a multicenter randomized trial to compare intermittent versus continuous approach to ADT in CRPCa patients. Overall survival, health related quality of life (QOL) and cost were the main endpoints. We hypothesized that the intermittent approach would be cost-saving while maintaining similar oncologic and QOL outcomes.

Methods: CRPCa patients were randomized 1:2 to continuous or intermittent luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonists (LHRHa). Patients were followed with clinical assessments, laboratory investigations, and QOL questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 or PROSQOLI) every 2 months. If the serum testosterone rose above castrate levels (1.75nmol/L), LHRHa were re-initiated. The study was designed to close if >50% of patients needed to restart ADT in the intermittent arm.

Results: 31 patients were followed with a median follow-up of 26.8 months; 18 in the intermittent arm and 13 in the continuous. 12/18 patients on the intermittent arm were re-initiated on LHRHa at a median time of 17.9 months. There was no difference in overall or cancer-specific survival between the two arms. There was no statistically significant difference in QOL between the two arms at 0 and 12 months. The total mean costs at 24 months were significantly lower in the intermittent arm (3135 $CAD vs 8253 $CAD, p=0.0167) compared to the continuous arm largely due to the reduced costs of the LHRHa.

Conclusions: We have observed that intermittent ADT in patients with CRPCa, using a testosterone of >1.75 ngmol/L as a trigger to re-initiate LHRHa, results in a substantial cost savings with no negative impact on oncologic and QOL outcomes. These findings need to be corroborated in a study with a larger sample size.

[Table: see text]

Abstract P5-11-15: Modeling for Response Predictive Factors in Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: Impact on Preferential Benefits of Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors

Background: The Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) observed significant improvements in breast cancer (BC) outcomes following adjuvant tamoxifen (TAM) and/or aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy relative to natural history (NH) without endocrine therapy. In unselected populations, upfront AI for 5-years appears to be associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) relative to 5-years of TAM alone. BC outcomes for TAM and AI in the EBCTCG meta-analyses, however, may reflect composite outcomes for heterogeneous sub populations of patients with varying responsiveness to TAM and AI's. A number of studies suggest that response to endocrine therapy (excellent vs poor) with TAM (TAM-excellent vs TAM-poor responders) and AI (AI-excellent vs AI-poor responders) may be related to TAM metabolizer status (non impaired vs impaired) and body mass index (normal vs high), respectively. This study examines the potential impact of these predictive factors on BC outcomes following TAM or AI therapy to determine the adjuvant endocrine monotherapy associated with improved BC outcomes for postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Methods: A generic state-transition model was developed to compute BC outcomes over a 10-year horizon in hypothetical cohorts of postmenopausal women receiving 5-years of adjuvant TAM (TAM cohort) or AI (AI cohort) or no endocrine therapy (NH cohort). We estimated DFS rates and cumulative life-years associated with NH, TAM and AI in unselected cohorts as well as sub-cohorts with varying responsiveness to TAM or AI. BC outcomes in the unselected cohorts were derived from the EBCTCG meta-analyses. BC outcomes in the sub-cohorts of TAM-excellent vs TAM-poor responders and AI-excellentvs AI-poor responders were based on varying combinations of responder proportions (excellent vs poor) and odd ratios (ORs) of BC outcomes in excellent vs poor responders that are plausible within the composite BC outcomes observed in the unselected TAM and AI cohorts. The model assumes that BC outcomes in poor responders could not be worse than BC outcomes for NH. Sensitivity analyses were conducted, and the impact of varying 10-year baseline recurrence risk without endocrine therapy was examined to reflect the natural spectrum of breast cancer disease encountered.

Results: Two-way sensitivity analyses are provided for TAM and AI predictive factors to determine which adjuvant endocrine therapy (TAM vs AI) may be associated with improved BC outcomes based on the prevalence of the response predictive factors and their relative impact on BC outcomes. The plausible combinations of prevalence and OR for TAM excellent responders in the TAM cohort as well as AI poor responders in the AI cohort that predict improved BC outcomes with TAM relative to AI monotherapy are provided. Sensitivity analyses will be presented.

Conclusions: Adjuvant endocrine monotherapy with TAM may be associated with improved BC outcomes in TAM-excellent responders compared to an unselected AI cohort or in an unselected TAM cohort compared to AI-poor responders. The choice of optimal adjuvant endocrine therapy may depend upon the prevalence of treatment predictive factors and their relative impact on BC outcomes.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-11-15.

Cost-utility analysis of proton pump inhibitors and other gastro-protective agents for prevention of gastrointestinal complications in elderly patients taking nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

BACKGROUND

The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) among elderly patients using nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsNSAIDs) has increased; the price of PPIs is higher than that of majority of alternative treatment strategies.

AIM

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of nsNSAIDS + PPIs relative to alternative gastroprotective regimens in the prevention of GI complications among elderly patients (aged > or = 65 years).

METHODS

An incremental cost-utility analysis, comparing PPIs with alternative gastroprotective regimens was conducted using a decision analytical model. Clinical outcomes, costs and utilities were derived from recently published studies. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results to variation in model inputs and assumptions.

RESULTS

The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of PPIs, relative to nsNSAID alone, was $206,315 per QALY gained or were more costly and less effective. Other co-prescribed treatment options had higher costs per QALY gained. In patients with a history of a complicated or uncomplicated ulcer, PPIs had ICURs of $24,277 and $40,876, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of PPIs in all elderly patients taking nsNSAIDs is unlikely to represent an efficient use of finite healthcare resources. Co-prescribing PPIs, however, to elderly patients taking nsNSAIDs who have a history of complicated or uncomplicated ulcers appears to be economically attractive.

The cost burden of trastuzumab and bevacizumab therapy for solid tumours in Canada

OBJECTIVE

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) such as trastuzumab and bevacizumab have become important yet expensive components of systemic cancer therapy across a variety of disease sites. We assessed the potential cost implications of adopting trastuzumab and bevacizumab therapy in the context of their potential utilization in breast, lung, and colorectal cancers.

DESIGN

We first estimated MAb costs per patient and treatment indication and then included the MAb acquisition cost and the costs of medical resource utilizations required for therapy delivery. Drug costs were based on 2005 average Canadian wholesale prices, assuming full drug delivery and uncomplicated cycles. A direct-payer perspective was undertaken, and results are reported in Canadian dollars. Potential lifetime costs were then derived according to constructed schema, which account for absolute numbers of target patients and systemic therapy utilization. We subsequently estimated costs of MAb therapy relative to total costs of conventional management without MAb therapy.

RESULTS

Trastuzumab costs $49,915 and $28,350 per patient treated in the adjuvant and metastatic breast cancer settings, respectively; bevacizumab costs $48,490 and $39,614 per patient treated in the metastatic lung and colorectal cancer settings, respectively. Potential lifetime absolute costs to Canada's health care system were approximately $127 million and $299 million for trastuzumab and bevacizumab respectively, corresponding to an average increase in health care expenditure of approximately 19% for breast cancer and 21% for lung and colorectal cancer over conventional management without MAbs.

CONCLUSIONS

Novel Mab-based therapies such as trastuzumab and bevacizumab will likely add a significant cost burden to Canada's publicly funded health care system.

Adjuvant trastuzumab for breast cancer outside of clinical trials: Cardiotoxicity and economic evaluation

6585

Background: Clinical and economic evaluations of adjuvant trastuzumab (aTZ) in breast cancer (BC) are based on clinical trial outcomes. Population based studies however provide unique opportunities to examine outcomes in a real world setting. We previously examined aTZ uptake in all patients diagnosed with stage I-III BC over one year in Nova Scotia, Canada (Snow et al SABCS 2007). We now report cardiotoxic events (CE) and an economic evaluation based on our previous cohort. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients treated with aTZ was conducted to abstract clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment details, CEs/significant LVEF declines, and associated medical resource utilization (MRU). Cardiac risk scores (CRS) (Rastogi et al ASCO 2007) were also computed for all patients. Biserial correlation was performed to detect differences in CRS scores among subgroups. Costs associated with aTZ were based on MRU; unit costs were derived from the literature and local resources. A probabilistic model (Skedgel et al ASCO 2008) was utilized to examine the cost per quality adjusted life year gained (QALYG) at a 25-year horizon with budget impact calculated in 2009 Cdn $. Results: Of a total population of 630 patients with stage I-III BC, 37 (5.9%) received aTZ as per HERA trial treatment schedule; two (5.4%) had a CE (one death) and five (13.5%) experienced significant LVEF decline. CEs and LVEF declines were higher in patients with baseline LVEF 50–55% vs. > 55% (10% vs. 4% and 20% vs. 11%, respectively). CRS accurately predicted the observed CE rate, and was also predictive of significant LVEF decline (p = 0.056). Compared to previous estimates, the mean cost per patient of $46,070 (95%CI: $38,541-$54,422) was lower and the cost-utility of $60,439/QALYG was more favourable. Based on the observed aTZ utilization rate, a budget impact of $59.9m (95%CI: 42.5 m-79.9 m) for 2009 in Canada is expected. Conclusions: CEs and significant LVEF declines in this population based cohort appear comparable to that reported in clinical trials. Based on the aTZ costs per patient in this study, the cost-utility of aTZ is more favourable than previous estimates although the associated budget impact remains substantial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Direct and indirect economic evaluation of upfront and sequential adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women with breast cancer based on the BIG 1–98 trial

6594

Background: The monotherapy arms of the BIG 1–98 trial established the clinical superiority of upfront letrozole (LET) relative to tamoxifen alone (TAM) but direct comparison of sequential TAM-LET, LET-TAM and upfront LET did not establish a clinically superior strategy. We undertook an economic evaluation to identify an economically preferred strategy based on the relative cost-effectiveness (CE) of TAM, LET, TAM-LET, and LET-TAM in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year gained (QALYG). Methods: A state-transition model was developed to calculate cumulative costs and QALYs over a 25yr horizon for hypothetical cohorts of postmenopausal women with HR+ breast cancer undergoing adjuvant hormonal treatment. As the sequential arms were not directly compared to TAM alone, it was not possible to directly compare all strategies. As such, the analysis conducted direct within-arm comparisons and an indirect between-arm comparison. DFS endpoints and relative DFS benefit were derived from the monotherapy and sequential arms of BIG 1–98. Adverse events were not included as these have not yet been reported. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for the key parameters and assumptions, including the baseline recurrence risk and the duration of carry-over benefit. Costs and utility weights were derived from the literature. The analysis took a Canadian direct payer perspective and drug costs were based on 2008 Canadian average wholesale prices. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 3%. Results: In the monotherapy arms LET had a CE of $16,650 relative to TAM. In the sequential arms LET-TAM had superior QALYGs and cost savings relative to LET and TAM-LET. In economic terms, LET-TAM dominated LET and TAM-LET. In the indirect comparison, LET-TAM dominated LET and TAM-LET and had superior QALYGs at increased cost relative to TAM for a CE of $178. Conclusions: Direct comparisons confirm the economic favourability of LET relative to TAM and establish the dominance of LET-TAM over LET and TAM-LET. These indirect comparisons support the strong economic favourability of LET-TAM relative to TAM in the indirect comparison. In the absence of superior clinical outcomes, economic evaluation is a useful in suggesting a preferred strategy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Adjuvant hormone strategies in postmenopausal women with breast cancer: An economic evaluation based on the EBCTCG meta-analyses

6574

Background: Meta-analyses conducted by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) demonstrated significant improvements in breast cancer (BC) outcomes associated with tamoxifen (TAM) and/or aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. We conducted an economic evaluation, based on these meta-analyses, to examine the cost-effectiveness (CE) of adjuvant TAM, sequential TAM-AI and upfront AI in post menopausal (PM) women with BC. Methods: A generic model was developed to calculate cumulative costs and quality adjusted life year gains (QALYG) over 25-year horizon in hypothetical cohorts of PM women with BC undergoing 5-year treatment with TAM alone, upfront AI, or sequential TAM-AI. We examined different cohorts with varying 10-year baseline recurrence risk (RR) without adjuvant hormonal treatments to reflect the natural spectrum of breast cancer disease encountered (low = 25%; average = 38%; high = 50%; very high = 75%). The efficacy outcomes were derived from the EBCTCG meta-analyses, with 10-year duration of benefit assumed for all strategies. Costs and utilities were derived from the literature, and local resources. The analysis took a direct payer perspective and reports costs in 2008 Cdn$. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. CE was based on the $50,000/QALY gained threshold. Adverse events were not included in the primary analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results: Adjuvant hormonal treatments with TAM and/or AI are CE strategies in PM women with BC. The costs and QALYG associated with hormonal treatments were dependent on the baseline RR: CE estimates were more favorable in cohorts with higher as opposed to lower RR. The baseline RR also influenced the choice of the optimal economic strategy. Upfront AI was associated with higher costs and more QALY gains compared to TAM-AI. CE however was favorable in patients with average to very high RR and unfavorable in patients with low RR. Conclusions: Adjuvant treatments with TAM and/or AI are associated with favorable CE in PM women with BC. The optimal CE strategies, however, are dependent on the baseline RR without hormonal treatment. A risk-tailored hormonal treatment choice could optimize the overall health system efficiency.

[Table: see text]

Adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: is TC a cost-effective regimen compared to AC?

Abstract #6110

Background: Adjuvant TC (taxotere 75 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 q 21 days X 4 cycles) has recently been shown to improve disease-free and overall survival compared to AC (adriamycin 60 mg/m2 and C 600 mg/m2 q 21 days X 4 cycles) for women with breast cancer. Given the possible differences in cost between the two regimens, an economic evaluation was undertaken to examine the cost-utility (CU) of TC relative to AC in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Methods: A Markov model was developed to calculate the cumulative costs and QALYs gained over a 10-year horizon for hypothetical cohorts of women with breast cancer treated with AC or TC. Event rates, costs, and utilities were derived from the literature. Costs expected with the delivery of standard courses of TC and AC at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Canada were estimated. Costs included chemotherapy drug acquisition, supportive medications, laboratory investigations, health resource utilization, and significant adverse events associated with chemotherapy. Efficacy outcomes were based on the updated results of the clinical study of TC vs AC (Jones et al, SABCS 2007). The model took a third-party direct payer perspective and reports results in 2008 Canadian dollars ($). Both costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. Sensitivity analysis for key parameters in the model was conducted. Results: TC is associated with $4,080 incremental cost and 0.25 QALY gain compared to AC at 10-year horizon, with a favorable CU of $16,611/QALY gained. Results were robust to model assumptions and input parameters. Conclusions: TC is cost-effective compared to AC with a cost-effectiveness ratio well below commonly employed thresholds.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6110.

How effective are disease-modifying drugs in delaying progression in relapsing-onset MS?

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to estimate the effectiveness of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in delaying multiple sclerosis (MS) disability progression in relapsing-onset (R-onset) definite MS patients under "real-world" conditions.

METHODS

Treatment effect size, for DMDs as a class, was estimated in absolute terms and relative to MS natural history. A basic model estimated annual Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) change before and after treatment. An expanded model estimated annual EDSS change in pretreatment years, treatment years on first drug, treatment years after drugs were switched, and in years after treatment stopped. Models were populated with 1980 through 2004 clinical data, including 1988 through 2004 data for all Nova Scotians treated with DMDs. Estimates were made for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and R-onset groups.

RESULTS

Estimated pretreatment annual EDSS increases were approximately 0.10 of one EDSS point for the RRMS group, 0.31 for the SPMS group, and 0.16 for the R-onset group. Estimates of EDSS increase avoided per treatment year on the first drug were significant for the RRMS group (-0.103, 0.000), the SPMS group (-0.065, 0.011), and the R-onset group (-0.162, 0.000); relative effect size estimates were 112%, 21%, and 105%. Estimated EDSS progression was faster in years after drug switches and treatment stops.

CONCLUSIONS

Our estimates of disease-modifying drug (DMD) relative treatment effect size, in the context of "real-world" clinical practice, are similar to DMD treatment efficacy estimates in pivotal trials, though our findings attained statistical significance. DMDs, as a class, are effective in delaying Expanded Disability Status Scale progression in patients with relapsing-onset definite multiple sclerosis (MS) (90%), although effectiveness is much better for relapsing-remitting MS than for secondary progressive MS groups.

Cost-utility of adjuvant trastuzumab in Her-2/neu positive breast cancer: A Canadian perspective

6574

Background: Recent RCTs have demonstrated a significant disease-free and overall survival advantage with adjuvant trastuzumab (aTZ) compared to chemotherapy alone in women with Her2/neu positive breast cancer. However, as aTZ is also associated with considerable costs and an increased risk of cardiotoxicity, an economic evaluation was undertaken to estimate the cost-utility (CU) of aTZ in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained relative to chemotherapy alone. Methods: A Markov model was developed to calculate the incremental costs and outcomes of 12 months of aTZ following chemotherapy in a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 women with Her2/neu positive breast cancer over a lifetime horizon. The model consisted of four broad health states: 1) disease-free, 2) local recurrence, 3) distant recurrence and 4) death. Each survival state was stratified as experienced with or without cardiotoxicity. The baseline rate of recurrence, the hazard ratio (HR) of recurrence with aTZ and the rate of adverse cardiac events were taken from recent RCTs. Age-sex specific background mortality, based on Statistics Canada life tables, was also incorporated. The cost of aTZ was based on our previous cost study (Drucker et al, ASCO 2006). Costs of local and distant cancer recurrence were derived from the literature, with an adjustment for the cost of palliative TZ (Potvin et al, ASCO 2005). Utility weights were taken from the literature. The model took a direct payer perspective, with costs reported in 2006 Canadian dollars (CDN$). Costs and QALYs were both discounted by 3% annually. The primary analysis assumed 5 years of benefit with aTZ therapy and an HR=1.0 over the remainder of the horizon. Results: Per 1,000 treated patients, aTZ was associated with a lifetime gain of 1,267 QALYs and an incremental cost of CDN$38.8 million. Lifetime CU was CDN$30,630 per QALY gained. aTZ met a CDN$50,000/QALY threshold at year 17. CU results were particularly sensitive to changes in the analysis horizon and assumptions regarding the long-term HR of aTZ. Conclusions: The lifetime CU of aTZ appears reasonable. However, further clinical follow-up is required to clarify the long-term outcomes of aTZ and confirm these CU estimates.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Potential budget impact of capecitabine versus 5-FU/LV as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III (SIII) colon cancer in Canada and its provinces

6581

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy for SIII colon cancer is an accepted standard of care. Oral Capecitabine (CAP) has been shown to be at least equivalent and possibly superior to 5FU/LV (Mayo regimen) with regards to a superior relapse free survival. This new option is associated with a higher drug cost but improved toxicity profile and appears to be cost-effective (CE). An economic analysis was undertaken to examine the potential budget impact for CAP in Canada and its provinces for 2007 onwards. Methods: A previously developed cost-effectiveness model was adapted to a prevalence perspective to project the net budgetary impact of CAP over a 5 year horizon. The projected population and incidence of colon cancer for each Canadian province from 2007–2016 was obtained and the proportion of patients with SIII colon cancer suitable for adjuvant chemotherapy was estimated from the literature. The average budget impact in the first 5 years (start up phase) and subsequent years (steady state) was assessed in Canadian $. Results: The projected average annual impact for Canada is 13.9 million (M) during the start up phase and $11.8 M during the steady state phase (NL $210K, PEI $63K, NS $424K, NB $282K, QC $2.92M, ON $4.66M, MB $464K, SK $336K, AB $993K and BC 1.45M). Budget impact is greater during the initial start-up phase (2007–11), as the steady state impact (2012–16) includes relapses avoided over a 5-year period. Sensitivity analyses for key parameters will be provided. Conclusions: The annual budget impact of CAP decreases over time and reaches a steady state after 5 years when the full impact of decreased recurrences is captured. As CAP appears to be CE, budget impact analysis has the potential to assist in the planning of healthcare funding resources regarding this treatment option.

[Table: see text]

Modeling for cost-effective-adjuvant aromatase inhibitor strategies for postmenopausal women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

To determine cost-effective (CE) strategies comparing adjuvant upfront aromatase inhibitor (AI) with sequential tamoxifen (TAM) AI in postmenopausal (PM) women with breast cancer (BC).

DESIGN

A Markov model was constructed to calculate cumulative costs and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains for upfront AI and TAM-AI in a hypothetical cohort of 60-year-old PM women with BC. Costs, utilities and probabilities were derived from the literature. The hazard ratios (HRs) of AI strategies were applied to a baseline cancer recurrence risk (RR) to determine CE strategies at the $50,000/QALY gain threshold. A direct payer perspective is utilized, and costs and benefits were discounted at 3%.

RESULTS

Two-way sensitivity analyses are presented to determine CE strategies across a wide range of HRs and in different clinical scenarios including varying RRs (low, average, high and very high). TAM-AI is the preferred CE strategy at low and average RR, while upfront AI is CE at very high RR. The CE strategy in patients with high RR was dependent on the scenario examined.

CONCLUSIONS

This model may help health care providers select CE-adjuvant AI strategies in PM women with BC, until further direct evidence is available from randomized clinical trials.

Cost-utility of adjuvant hormone therapies for breast cancer in post-menopausal women: sequential tamoxifen-exemestane and upfront anastrozole

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant Anastrozole (ANA) for 5 years and Tamoxifen followed by Exemestane (TAM-EXE) for 2.5 years each have become acceptable alternatives to 5 years of Tamoxifen (TAM) for post-menopausal women with breast cancer. As these newer options are associated with higher drug costs as well as improved outcomes, an economic evaluation was undertaken to compare the cost-utility of ANA and TAM-EXE relative to TAM alone and to each other in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to calculate monthly costs and outcomes in a hypothetical cohort of post-menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. Baseline rates of cancer recurrence and adverse effects with TAM, and hazard ratios associated with ANA and EXE, were derived from the ATAC and IES trials. Patients received hormonal therapy for 5 years and benefit was modeled to persist 5 years beyond treatment. The analysis took a direct payer perspective with a 20-year time horizon. Costs and outcomes were discounted by 3%. Costs are in 2005 Canadian dollars.

RESULTS

ANA and TAM-EXE were associated with increased costs and QALYs, though the cost-utility of both relative to TAM alone was strongly favourable (<$50,000/QALY). Based on an indirect comparison of ANA and TAM-EXE, using TAM alone as a common comparator, the cost-utility of ANA relative to TAM-EXE appears unfavourable.

CONCLUSIONS

Both upfront and sequential AI options were cost-effective alternatives to TAM alone, but TAM-EXE appears to be the economically preferred AI option based on its more favourable cost-utility versus ANA.

The cost burden of trastuzumab and bevacizumab monoclonal antibody therapy in solid tumors: Can we afford it?

6044

Background: Monoclonal antibodies (MAb), such as trastuzumab (TZ) and bevacizumab (BZ), have become an important yet expensive component of cancer treatment. The potential cost impact on health care budgets needs to be assessed in the context of its potential utilization. An estimate of the additional costs incurred by adopting TZ and BZ therapy in breast (BRC), lung (LUC) and colorectal (CRC) cancers was undertaken. Methods: The MAb costs per patient were estimated based on treatment indications, length of treatment, standard doses / schedules and local pharmacy data. Supportive medications, diagnostics and health resources utilization only required for the MAb therapy were also examined. This analysis was performed in Canadian dollars ($), and assumes complete drug delivery and uncomplicated cycles. Drug costs were based on average 2005 wholesale prices in Canada. The analysis took a direct payer perspective. We subsequently estimated the cost of MAb therapy per patient relative to the total costs of conventional cancer management without MAb therapy. Budget impact estimates on Canada’s health care system were then derived according to constructed schema, which accounts for absolute numbers of target patients and systemic therapy utilization. Results: The average costs of TZ per treated patient were $47,278 and $26,648 for adjuvant and metastatic BRC, respectively. For BZ, these were $47,250 and $38,500 for metastatic LUC and CRC, respectively. Other costs associated with MAb therapy were in the range of 3–6%. The predicted TZ drug costs in metastatic breast cancer were within 10% of the actual costs derived from pharmacy data. The potential life-time absolute costs to Canada’s health care system were approximately $118 million for TZ, and $262 million for BZ. This corresponds to an average of approximately 21% increase in the health care expenditure for BRC, LUC, and CRC. Conclusions: MAb therapy, such as TZ and BZ, may add a significant cost burden to Canada’s publicly funded health care system. The developed schema in this analysis may be of potential use to health care providers and policy makers in assessing the impact of MAb therapy on health care budgets.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Economic evaluation of adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage III (SIII) colon cancer: Capecitabine versus 5FU/LV

6046

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy for SIII colon cancer is an accepted standard of care. Oral Capecitabine (C) has been shown to be at least equivalent and possibly superior to 5FU/LV (F) with a superior relapse free survival (RFS). This new option is associated with a higher drug cost. An economic analysis was undertaken to compare these two alternatives. Methods: A cost minimisation analysis was performed in Canadian $ ($) using C and F given as per the X-ACT (X) trial. The direct costs including chemotherapy drug acquisition, supportive medications, laboratory investigation and health resources utilisation were examined based in Nova Scotia. Indirect costs included travel and opportunity cost based on the average provincial wage and participation rates. Complete drug delivery was assumed. A direct payer perspective was used. A cost-effectiveness (CE) model was also constructed to estimate the required lower risk of cancer recurrence for C to be cost effective compared to F at a commonly used CE threshold. The Markov model developed used a hypothetical cohort of 1,000 patients with SIII colon cancer and projected costs and outcomes over 5 years (discounted 3% and in $2,005). All recurrences were modeled to death. Recurrence rates, median survival with recurrent disease, costs and utility scores were derived from the literature. Estimates of background mortality without recurrence were obtained from Canadian Life Tables. Sensitivity analysis (SA) was performed using a range of recurrence risk hazard ratios (HR) including that reported in the X trial. Results: Compared to F, C is associated with higher direct costs, principally reflecting the higher drug cost (difference: $5,589/patient) but less resources utilisation cost (difference: - $1,804/patient). The total indirect costs favour C (difference: - $2,464/patient). For C to be potentially CE compared to 5FU/LV, a ≥ 9% lower relative recurrence risk (HR = 0.91) with C would be required. At the reported RFS HR 0.86, the CE of C relative to F is $15,844 per disease free survival years gained and $22,097 per quality adjusted life years gained. Conclusions: C has more direct costs but has indirect cost savings. It has the potential to be cost effective as seen in the SA and is a CE alternative to F at the HR for RFS reported in the X trial.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cost-effectiveness of interferon beta-1b in slowing multiple sclerosis disability progression. First estimates

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the cost-effectiveness (CE) of interferon beta-1b (IFN beta-1b) in slowing disability progression in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

METHODS

Treatment program costs and health outcomes are modeled for cohorts of 1,000 females and 1,000 males followed 40 years from onset. Fifteen scenarios model MS natural history progression, treatment efficacy, direct treatment costs, and MS healthcare costs. A single randomized placebo-controlled trial of IFN beta-1b found reduced disease activity by MRI, reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations, and a tendency toward slower disability progression. Disability years avoided are modeled as the primary health outcome analyzed. A ministry of health (MOH) perspective is adopted, using Nova Scotia population-based data. Annual IFN beta-1b direct treatment costs (Can $16,685) are high relative to both MOH healthcare costs per person with MS (Can $2,000) and estimated MOH costs avoided.

RESULTS

Given "reference case" assumptions for women with RRMS, treatment reduces lifetime disability years by 10%. Cost per disability year avoided before discounting is Can $189,230 (US $124,892), and Can $274,842 (US $181,395) after discounting at 5%. Estimates for alternative scenarios vary greatly, leaving main findings unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the Expanded Disability Status Scale, cost per disability year avoided due to interferon beta-1b treatment in RRMS is quite high. Comparable CE estimates, using MS-specific or generic health-related quality-of-life outcome measures, are even higher. Further research is required to better measure treatment effects, modification of MS natural history, and net societal costs of IFN beta-1b in RRMS.

Hospital-based psychiatric service utilization and morbidity in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Despite the common association of psychiatric morbidity and multiple sclerosis (MS), population-based prevalence estimates of these disorders are limited. Such estimates are of particular importance to those conducting trials of interventions for the treatment of MS. This study examined the prevalence of bipolar disorder, depression, and attempted suicide among hospital service utilizers in Nova Scotia and compared these measures for the MS and non-MS population.

METHODS

Data regarding diagnosis and utilization were extracted from two linked databases which included all hospital separation records for Nova Scotia over a 3 year period (1992/93-1994/95).

RESULTS

The prevalence of bipolar disorder in hospitalized MS patients was 1.97% and depression was 4.27%. These rates were significantly higher than the 0.92% and 2.04%, respectively, for the non-MS hospital utilizers. These diagnoses also accounted for more than half of the primary diagnostic codes for psychiatric service separations by MS patients. The proportion of total hospital utilization which was accounted for by psychiatric services did not differ between MS and non-MS utilizers. While suicide attempts were rare, the estimated frequency of suicide attempts in the total MS population was more than three times that of the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Bipolar disorder and depression were twice as prevalent in hospitalized MS patients as in the general population of hospital utilizers while the estimated frequency of suicide attempts was at least three times greater. These results illustrate that psychiatric morbidity and service utilization are important considerations in the care of MS patients.