Cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening with computed tomography colonography or fecal blood tests.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening using computed tomography colonography (CTC) and immunological fecal occult blood test (iFOBT).

Methods: CTC and iFOBT strategies were compared with Nn screening or guaiac FOBT (gFOBT) using Markov modeling. CTC was proposed at 50, 60, and 70 years, whereas gFOBT and iFOBT were performed every 2 years beginning at 50 years until 74 years of age with a 30-year time horizon.

Cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening with computed tomography colonography according to a polyp size threshold for polypectomy.

Objective: Computed tomography colonography (CTC) has an acceptable accuracy in detecting colonic lesions, especially for polyps at least 6 mm. The aim of this analysis is to determine the cost-effectiveness of population-based screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) using CTC with a polyp size threshold.

Methods: The cost-effectiveness ratios of CTC performed at 50, 60 and 70 years old, without (PL strategy) or with (TS strategy) polyp size threshold were compared using a Markov process.

Effects of price information on test ordering in an intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine if daily information on the price of common laboratory tests and chest X-ray could significantly influence test ordering by physicians and decrease the costs.

Design: A prospective observational and sequential study.

Setting: A 21-bed surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital.