Cost-Effectiveness Model for Chemoimmunotherapy Options in Patients with Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Unsuitable for Full-Dose Fludarabine-Based Therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil (GClb) in untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia unsuitable for full-dose fludarabine-based therapy.

Methods: A Markov model was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of GClb versus other chemoimmunotherapy options. The model comprised three mutually exclusive health states: "progression-free survival (with/without therapy)", "progression (refractory/relapsed lines)", and "death".

The value of innovation under value-based pricing.

Objective: The role of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) in incentivizing innovation is controversial. Critics of CEA argue that its use for pricing purposes disregards the 'value of innovation' reflected in new drug development, whereas supporters of CEA highlight that the value of innovation is already accounted for. Our objective in this article is to outline the limitations of the conventional CEA approach, while proposing an alternative method of evaluation that captures the value of innovation more accurately.

Cross-market cost-effectiveness analysis of erlotinib as first-line maintenance treatment for patients with stable non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Platinum-doublet, first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is limited to 4-6 cycles. An alternative strategy used to prolong the duration of first-line treatment and extend survival in metastatic NSCLC is first-line maintenance therapy. Erlotinib was approved for first-line maintenance in a stable disease population following results from a randomized, controlled Phase III trial comparing erlotinib with best supportive care.

An evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of rituximab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the UK.

Objectives: In this study, the cost-effectiveness of rituximab was evaluated in comparison with commonly used chemotherapy regimens for patients with advanced follicular lymphoma (FL), from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Methods: Results from four randomized controlled trials comparing the addition of rituximab to chemotherapy regimens: mitoxantrone, chlorambucil, and prednisolone (MCP); cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone (CVP); cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP); or cyclophosphamide, etoposide, doxorubicin, prednisolone, and interferon alpha (CHVP + IFNalpha) versus chemotherapy alone were used to develop a Markov model. The rates of disease progression and the duration of treatment effect were obtained from the trial data.

Cost-effectiveness of early versus late cinacalcet treatment in addition to standard care for secondary renal hyperparathyroidism in the USA.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to estimate lifetime cost-effectiveness of treating patients with cinacalcet early (when parathyroid hormone [PTH] levels are in the range of 300-500 pg/ml) versus delaying treatment with cinacalcet (cinacalcet initiated when PTH levels are > 800 pg/ml) in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in the US setting.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to simulate the effects of early versus delayed use of cinacalcet (plus standard of care). Four different PTH ranges (< or = 300 pg/ml; 301-500 pg/ml; 501-800 pg/ml; > 800 pg/ml) were used to represent four different health states within the Markov model.

Cost-effectiveness of diabetes case management for low-income populations.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Project Dulce, a culturally specific diabetes case management and self-management training program, in four cohorts defined by insurance status.

Data Sources/study Setting: Clinical and cost data on 3,893 persons with diabetes participating in Project Dulce were used as inputs into a diabetes simulation model.

Study Design: The Center for Outcomes Research Diabetes Model, a published, peer-reviewed and validated simulation model of diabetes, was used to evaluate life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALY), cumulative incidence of complications and direct medical costs over patient lifetimes (40-year time horizon) from a third-party payer perspective.

An economic assessment of analogue basal-bolus insulin versus human basal-bolus insulin in subjects with type 1 diabetes in the UK.

Background: A recent study demonstrated that treatment of type 1 diabetes with an analogue basal-bolus insulin regimen was associated with improved glycaemic control (HbA(1c) -0.22% points, p < 0.001), reduced risk of hypoglycaemic events (-21%, p = 0.

Exenatide versus insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes in the UK: a model of long-term clinical and cost outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and economic outcomes associated with exenatide or insulin glargine, added to oral therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with combination oral agents in the UK setting.

Methods: A published and validated computer simulation model of diabetes was used to project long-term complications, life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy and direct medical costs. Probabilities of diabetes-related complications were derived from published sources.

Health economic implications of irbesartan treatment versus standard blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and renal disease: a Hungarian analysis.

To perform a health economic analysis on treatment with irbesartan in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. A Markov model was adapted to the Hungarian setting to simulate renal deterioration from the development of microalbuminuria to nephropathy, doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and all-cause mortality. Outcomes for two treatments were evaluated: (1) a placebo regimen of standard antihypertensive medications, and (2) the addition of irbesartan 300 mg administered daily, with both treatment initiated after developing microalbuminuria.

A French cost-consequence analysis of the renoprotective benefits of irbesartan in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Objectives: We performed a cost-consequence analysis in a French setting of the renoprotective benefit of irbesartan in hypertensive type 2 diabetes patients over a 25-year period.

Research Design And Methods: A previously published Markov model simulated progression from microalbuminuria to overt nephropathy, doubling of serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease and death. Three treatment strategies with analogous blood pressure control were compared: (A) control--conventionally medicated antihypertensive therapy (excluding angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, other angiotensin-2-receptor antagonists and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers) initiated at microalbuminuria; (B) early irbesartan--(300 mg daily added to control, initiated with microalbuminuria) and (C) late irbesartan--(300 mg daily, initiated with overt nephropathy).

Health economic implications of irbesartan plus conventional antihypertensive medications versus conventional blood pressure control alone in patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and renal disease in Switzerland.

Objectives: The aim of this health economic modelling study was to investigate the effect of irbesartan combined with conventional antihypertensive medications compared to conventional antihypertensive therapy alone on the progression of nephropathy in patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria in a Swiss setting.

Methods: In simulated patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, treatment of microalbuminuria with irbesartan 300 mg daily plus conventional antihypertensive medications was compared to a control regimen (conventional medications excluding angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, other angiotensin-2-receptor antagonist and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers). Progression from microalbuminuria to nephropathy, doubling of serum creatinine, ESRD, and all-cause mortality was simulated over a 25-year time horizon using a published Markov model adapted to a Swiss setting.

Cost-effectiveness of basal insulin from a US health system perspective: comparative analyses of detemir, glargine, and NPH.

The purpose of this study was to compare in clinical and economic terms the long-acting insulin analogue detemir with intermediate-acting Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin and with long-acting insulin glargine. Investigators used the validated Center for Outcomes Research (CORE) Diabetes Model to project clinical and cost outcomes over a 35-year base case time horizon; outcome data were extracted directly from randomized, controlled trials designed to compare detemir with NPH and with insulin glargine. Modeled patient characteristics were derived from corresponding trials, and simulations incorporated published quality-of-life utilities with cost data obtained from a Medicare perspective.

Counting the costs of overweight and obesity: modeling clinical and cost outcomes.

Objective: To quantify changes in clinical and cost outcomes associated with increasing levels of body mass index (BMI) in a US setting.

Research Methods And Procedures: A semi-Markov model was developed to project and compare life expectancy (LE), quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) and direct medical costs associated with distinct levels of BMI in simulated adult cohorts over a lifetime horizon. Cohort definitions included age (20-65 years), gender, race, and BMI (24-45 kg m(-2)).

Review of the cost of diabetes complications in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive source document on previously published cost data for diabetic complications in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Spain for use in a peer-reviewed, validated diabetes model.

Methods: A search for published cost of diabetes complications data was performed in peer-reviewed journals listed in PubMed and health economic conference proceedings from 1994 to March 2005. Where country specific data were not available, we referred to government websites and local cost experts.

Cost-effectiveness studies of diabetes prevention in high-risk patients.

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing annually. Impaired glucose tolerance has been described as a prediabetic state, which confers an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes along with its associated costly complications. Interventions targeted at individuals with impaired glucose tolerance can delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.