Cost-minimization analysis favours intravenous ferric carboxymaltose over ferric sucrose or oral iron as preoperative treatment in patients with colon cancer and iron deficiency anaemia.

BACKGROUND Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM), Iron Sucrose (IS) and Oral Iron (OI) are alternative treatments for preoperative anaemia. OBJECTIVE To compare the cost implications, using a cost-minimization analysis, of three alternatives: FCM vs. IS vs. OI for treating iron-deficient anaemia before surgery in patients with colon cancer. METHODS Data from 282 patients with colorectal cancer and anaemia were obtained from a previous study. One hundred and eleven received FCS, 16 IS and 155 OI. Costs of intravenous iron drugs were obtained from the Spanish Regulatory Agency. Direct and indirect costs were obtained from the analytical accounting unit of the Hospital. In the base case mean costs per patient were calculated. Sensitivity analysis and probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation were performed. RESULTS Total costs per patient were 1827® in the FCM group, 2312® in the IS group and 2101® in the OI group. Cost savings per patient for FCM treatment were 485® compared to IS and 274® compared to OI. A Monte Carlo simulation favoured the use of FCM in 84.7% and 84.4% of simulations when compared to IS and OI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS FCM infusion before surgery reduced costs in patients with colon cancer and iron-deficiency anaemia when compared with OI and IS.