BACKGROUND Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a new treatment with promise for resistant depression. OBJECTIVE We tested the economic feasibility of this new method compared with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). METHOD An economic decision analysis was used to compare the costs of three different treatment strategies for nonpsychotic severe depression. The strategies wer...

We design and conduct a stated-preference survey to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce foodborne risk of acute illness and to test whether WTP is proportional to the corresponding gain in expected quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). If QALYs measure utility for health, then economic theory requires WTP to be nearly proportional to changes in both health quality and duration of illness...

A Markov-based decision model was created to assess the cost-effectiveness of augmentation therapy (Aug) for severe alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, comparing strategies of: (1) no Aug, (2) Aug for life, and (3) Aug until FEV1 is below 35% predicted. A hypothetical cohort of 46-year-old patients with FEV1 49% predicted was followed over time using Monte Carlo simulation across five possible healt...

BACKGROUND Women with a history of preeclampsia are at increased risk for future hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD); until now it is not clear whether preventive measures are needed. METHODS A decision-analytic Markov model was constructed to evaluate healthcare costs and effects of screening and treatment (100 % compliance) for hypertension post preeclampsia based on the available...

Although infliximab (IFX) is effective for inducing and maintaining remission in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), it is much more expensive than other treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of several therapies, including IFX, for moderately to severely active CD. A Markov cohort model was constructed to simulate treatment effectiveness and costs. Transition ...

BACKGROUND Asthma affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide with the condition associated with significant healthcare utilisation costs and a large impact on patient quality of life. The SQ(®) HDM SLIT-tablet (ACARIZAX(®), Hørsholm, Denmark) is a sublingually administered allergy immunotherapy tablet for house dust mite allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis and has recently been license...

BACKGROUND Prasugrel is recommended over clopidogrel in poor/intermediate CYP2C19 metabolizers with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), reducing the risk of ischemic events. CYP2C19 genetic testing can guide antiplatelet therapy in ACS patients. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-utility of genotype-guided treatment, co...

Modelling A decision model was used to estimate the outcomes of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs for the screening versus no screening strategies. The outcomes were estimated for a hypothetical cohort of 35-year old patients with a high prevalence of LTBI, who were not at increased risk of active TB disease if infected. A Markov model was also developed to trace the health profile ...

Heart Failure (HF) is a high-cost chronic disease with frequent worsening events requiring expensive hospital treatments. This study evaluated the cost-utility of dapagliflozin in patients HF Panama. A Markov model was developed considering three states: HF, and death. The base case an ejection fraction 40% or less New York Association class II, III, IV symptoms. Perspective from third payer; c...